Last night was a rollercoaster—I found myself chasing rickshaws in a fish market (my poor nose) after forgetting my Physics homework (okay, that part was believable). I woke up confused, dazed, and mildly concerned. Why are dreams so unrealistic? And why do we believe them—until we wake up?
Well, most dreams happen during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep. During REM, your brain is hyperactive ( like a kid on a sugar rush). It’s almost as active as when you’re awake, except your prefrontal cortex– the part responsible for logic, decision-making, and planning—decides to take a nap. (Honestly, mine feels like it’s on permanent leave.)
Meanwhile, your amygdala (emotion center) and hippocampus (memory center) are having the time of their lives (they throw a party every night). That’s why dreams feel chaotic, emotional, and familiar, like an overly dramatic play.
And even though your motor cortex is active, your body is temporarily paralyzed- so you don’t physically act out your dream.
In short- Dreams happen when your emotions take over and logic is nowhere to be found.
Dreams feel real when you’re in them, but totally illogical when you wake up. Why?
| Dream Feature | Scientific Explanation |
|---|---|
| Absurd plots | Low prefrontal cortex activity = poor logical reasoning |
| Random settings/characters | Memory gets scrambled |
| Intense emotions | Amygdala is overactive |
| Jump cuts, time skips | Brain doesn’t “edit” dreams it’s just pure chaos |
Dreams don’t follow a particular script — they follow emotions. Scared? You might see a monster. Worrying about school? Maybe you need Hogwarts-themed chaos (yes it happened to me). They’re symbolic, not literal.
What Do Dreams Reveal About You?
According to Sigmund Freud- dreams are secret desires. Scientists think they help:
- Process unresolved emotions.
- Consolidate memories.
- Simulate “what if” scenarios- for survival and decision-making (basically overthinking)
Dreams might be messy but they’re meaningful
What If You Don’t Dream (or Remember)?
You do dream — everyone does — but you may not remember:
- Dreams are easily forgotten unless you wake during or right after them.
- Stress, irregular sleep, or screen time can affect recall.
- Keeping a dream journal (even absurd ones) helps improve recall.
Tip: Keep a notebook or note app beside your bed. Even if it’s a one-liner write it down.
Conclusion: Embrace the Weird
Your brain loves making up stories even when you’re asleep. Dreams may seem absurd, but they are part of how your brain stays healthy, processes feelings, and explores creativity. So next time you wake up thinking what even was that, grab a pen — you might just catch a glimpse into your subconscious world.
