Oneirology: The Scientific study of ‘Dreams’

Dreams are stories and images that our minds create while we sleep. They can be entertaining, fun, romantic, disturbing, frightening, and sometimes bizarre. Oneirology is the scientific study of dreams. So here we are going to study the science and particularly the chemistry behind the dreams that occur every day after we sleep.

Most of our dreaming happens during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the fifth of the sleeping stages that is characterized by rapid eye movement, a highly active brain, and a paradoxically paralysed body. The other four phases are called NREM, or Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep. REM sleep, or stage R, usually starts about 90 minutes after you fall asleep. Brain activity increases, your eyes dart around quickly, and your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing speed up. This is also the period when you have most of your dreaming.

On average you'll go through 3-5 REM cycles per night, with each episode getting longer as the night progresses. The final one may last roughly an hour. For healthy adults, spending 20-25% of their time asleep in the REM stage is a good goal. REM sleep is important to your sleep cycle because it stimulates the areas of your brain that are essential in learning and making or retaining memories.

How do different kinds of chemicals/hormones affect dreams?

Coming to the chemical part, An ester of acetic acid and choline, acetylcholine is one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain. Levels of this neurotransmitter are at their peak during alert wakefulness and rapid eye movement. Acetylcholine levels are high during REM sleep shows that information is being actively processed and consolidated in this stage of sleep. So this chemical not only indicates that dreams are occurring but also plays an active and important role in dreaming.

Next comes our Melatonin, also called as sleep hormone or hormone of the night that is released to promote sleep. It is also the biggest culprit behind the Winter Blues when the morning stays darker or longer and the evenings get darker earlier. Melatonin is particularly high during REM sleep and the increased amount can prolong your dreaming period and is often used as a treatment for insomnia.

Oxytocin is a mammalian neurohypophysial hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain that deals with our emotions will surely influence our dreams since dreams primarily revolve around individual’s relationships with known ones or even a stranger passing on the street. There are also chemicals such as Adenosine,  gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that are responsible for our dreams.

Are dreams scientifically proven?

There are different ways scientists measure dreams—from asking questions to using MRI. These studies show us that activity in the brain while we sleep gives us the interesting dreams we recall when we wake up. These dreams help us remember things, be more creative, and process our emotions.

Sleep scientists believe the most vivid dreams that we can remember happening during the last, longest REM cycle closest to waking up. Most dreams only last for around five to 20 minutes, though they may seem like they are going on for much longer.

The theory states that dreams don't actually mean anything. Instead, they're merely electrical brain impulses that pull random thoughts and imagery from our memories. The theory suggests that humans construct dream stories after they wake up.

It is said that dreams revealed unconsciously repressed conflicts or wishes. But In remembering your dreams, you gain increased knowledge, self-awareness, and self-healing. Dreams are an extension of how you perceive yourself. They may be a source of inspiration, wisdom, joy, imagination, and overall improved psychological health.

- Subiksha Varsaa