Throughout history, humans have speculated about the purpose and meaning of dreams. Once considered a fringe topic, recent scientific advances have brought the study of dreams into the spotlight, making it a booming field of research. Here are some recent developments that could improve our understanding of dreams.
Lucid dreams
One groundbreaking area of research is related to lucid dreaming, where people become aware that they are dreaming and can sometimes exert control over the dream environment. In 2021, an international study showed that lucid dreamers were able to communicate with researchers during their dreams. Building on this, a 2024 study pushed the boundaries by training lucid dreamers to control a virtual car within their dreams.
In the experiment, 12 participants used subtle muscle movements to send signals to a computer, which then controlled the virtual vehicle. The dreamers received real-time feedback about obstacles in the virtual environment. Although some participants were able to drive the vehicle effectively, others struggled despite their efforts. The practical applications of this technology remain unclear, in part because of the small sample size and the scarcity of competent lucid dreamers. Nonetheless, these findings point to the possibility that, with practice, people may one day be able to make decisions and communicate from within their dreams.
Why do we dream?
Another interesting aspect of dream research is the question of why we dream. Mark Blagrove, a sleep and dream researcher at Swansea University, suggests that dreams may have evolved to enhance social connections and emotional intelligence. Since 2016, Blagrove has teamed up with artist Julia Lockheart to explore this theory through a unique dream discussion and illustration group. Participants share their dreams, which Blagrove analyzes while Lockheart creates visual interpretations based on Freud’s seminal work, “The Interpretation of Dreams.” Blagrove’s 2019 research indicated that talking about dreams in this way could foster greater empathy between dreamer and listeners, potentially offering survival advantages in ancient times by strengthening social bonds.
In addition, new theories about the function of dreams are emerging. At the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) annual conference in June 2024, one prominent theory was the theory of embodied cognition. This idea proposes that dreams might help prepare us for the cognitive tasks and challenges of waking life. Although not yet proven, this theory reflects the growing scientific interest in the adaptive role of dreams.
As research continues to evolve, our understanding of dreams may eventually reveal their full meaning, offering new insights into how our minds work and how dreams shape our lives.
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