Why your dreams feel like a surrealist masterpiece of nonsense
In short: Have you ever woken up wondering why your dreams are so bizarre? This video explores the neuroscience of REM sleep, where your brain becomes more active than when you are awake, and examines how these strange visions might actually be a driver of human creativity.
During REM sleep, which occurs roughly every 90 minutes, the body enters a state of paralysis while the brain's activity spikes. Neuroscientist Dr. Patrick McNamara suggests that this unique state may have been a primary driver of early human creativity, allowing for abstract connections that don't occur during waking life.
Sleep psychologist Dr. Shelby Harris and Dr. McNamara discuss competing theories regarding the purpose of dreaming. They argue that understanding and reclaiming a sense of reverence for the dream state could fundamentally alter how we approach modern thinking and creative processes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What happens to your brain when you’re dreaming
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