Why some people remember dreams (and others don't)

Remembering dreams is a complex process that depends on a number of factors.Here's why some people remember their dreams while others are unable to recount them...

An interesting theory suggests that the dreams we remember don't come directly from REM sleep. Rather, they appear when we wake up.

Sleep phases and dream recall

Sleep is built around different phases, including slow-wave and REM sleep. Contrary to widespread belief, dreams do not only occur during REM sleep.

• Slow wave sleep: Dreams during this phase are generally described as black-and-white, calm and resembling moments from the past day.
• REM sleep: Dreams during this phase are often more colorful, vivid and disjointed. It's during this phase that the most frequently remembered dreams occur.

Factors influencing dream recall

1. Time of awakening
• REM sleep phases are longer at the end of the night, which increases the likelihood of remembering dreams made at that time.
• The most vivid dream narratives are often obtained during spontaneous awakenings at the end of the night, or after a few minutes spent in REM sleep.
2. Night-time awakenings
• People who wake up several times during the night tend to remember their dreams more often.
• Waking up for at least two minutes seems to be necessary for the brain to register the dream, even if these awakenings are not always remembered.
3. Brain activity
• During REM sleep, areas of the brain linked to emotions are highly active, while those linked to logic are “switched off”.
• This particular brain activity could explain the irrational and emotional character of the dreams we remember.
4. Individual differences
• Some people seem to have a natural predisposition to remember their dreams, possibly linked to differences in brain structure or function.
5. Physiological conditions
• Certain conditions, such as antidepressants, Alzheimer's disease or advanced age, can reduce or suppress REM sleep, affecting the ability to remember dreams.

Theories on dream recall

An interesting theory suggests that the dreams we remember don't come directly from REM sleep. Rather, they appear upon awakening, when the rational areas of the brain, then animated, come to restore logic and meaning to the chimerical creations of our REM sleep.

In conclusion, the ability to remember dreams depends on a complex interplay between sleep phases, the timing and frequency of awakenings, specific brain activity during sleep, and individual factors. This complexity explains why some people regularly remember their dreams, while others rarely do.

(MH with LM /Picture: Rafal Jedrzejek via Unsplash)

Be sure to read all our articles on MSN by subscribing to our content. Click on 'follow', next to our logo above.