Why do we have vivid dreams

These may feature situations of high anxiety or panic, such as running late or general embarrassment. People with narcolepsy often say that they have vivid dreams that can be bizarre or disturbing.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that blurs the line between sleep and wakefulness. People with the condition feel very sleepy and fatigued during the day. Symptoms include sleep attacks, wherein a person falls asleep and experiences a sudden loss of muscle control cataplexy during the day.

When someone has narcolepsy, they fall into REM sleep shortly after falling asleep. This can cause them to have vivid dreams even during a brief nap.

People with narcolepsy may also experience lucid dreaming. In lucid dreaming, a person is aware that they are dreaming, and they may also be able to control the experience.

In cases such as pregnancy and short-term stress, vivid dreams will usually go away on their own. However, there are a few ways that people can avoid having vivid dreams. These include avoiding substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and ketamine and reducing alcohol consumption. These have different stages. People will cycle through these stages several times in a typical night. Everyone has vivid dreams occasionally. Any number of things, from pregnancy to stress, can contribute to vivid dreams.

Substance misuse, medication side effects, or even an underlying sleep disorder may play a role. In many cases, these dreams will go away over time. But if your vivid dreams are causing you emotional distress or physical problems, you might benefit from medical treatment or lifestyle modifications. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a sleep specialist to try to determine what treatments or lifestyle modifications are right for you.

If your vivid dreams are caused by an underlying mental or physical health condition, you can reduce your risk of vivid dreams by treating that condition. Eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, drinking enough water, and looking after your mental health can help prevent vivid dreams.

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety, but some people are better at coping with it than others. If you feel that your stress and anxiety levels are out of control, you might want to consider:.

A racing mind can result in vivid dreams and sometimes nightmares. This treatment is often used for people experiencing vivid dreams, especially nightmares, as a result of trauma. Your mental healthcare provider will ask you to continue playing over the new, nonthreatening ending to the dream in your mind. However, in the case of nightmares induced by trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, a doctor may consider prescribing sleeping medication or anti-anxiety medication to help induce sleep.

Experts say you can prepare for the end of daylight saving time for days in advance. Among the recommendations is outdoor physical activity. Here's everything you need to know about shopping for the…. If you are experiencing chronic pain and you're not sure why, see your healthcare provider for an evaluation. If you are experiencing depression, PTSD, chronic stress, or anxiety, a mental health professional can provide medication or counseling to see if they quiet your dreams.

Getting rid of vivid or intrusive dreams starts with uncovering the cause—only then will your dreams stop disrupting your sleep and affecting your day. The quality of your sleep affects your physical and psychological health. If you are not sleeping deeply enough or your sleep is regularly interrupted, you may be more likely to have vivid dreams and remember them upon waking. People who are pregnant or have a physical illness, anxiety, or a mood disorder like depression may also be more prone to recalling vivid dreams.

If your dreams are affecting your quality of life, reach out to your healthcare provider or a psychologist who can treat the underlying cause. Dwelling on your dreams too much can distract you from your day and cause you distress. You may find it helpful to keep a dream journal to track how your waking emotions express themselves in your dreams.

Just keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence that the symbols in your dreams have any profound meaning, and you certainly shouldn't let dream interpretation rule your life. It is normal to have vivid dreams every now and then, and you may have them more frequently if you are experiencing a stressful event or going through a major life change.

Vivid dreams become a problem when they start to disrupt your sleep and affect your mental health during the day. If your dreams are causing you anxiety, keeping you awake at night, or simply won't let up, contact your healthcare provider to sort out whether there is an underlying condition causing them. Experts have found no evidence that vivid dreams are more likely to come true or result in the phenomenon of deja vu.

Many people do have dream experiences that they later feel have come true, but this may have to do with certain electrical patterns of the brain that cause a false sense of familiarity rather than any ability to predict the future through dreaming.

Tossing and turning night over night can have a big impact on your quality of life. Our free guide can help you get the rest you need. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. Updated August Peace of mind and anxiety in the waking state are related to the affective content of dreams. Sci Rep. The neural correlates of dreaming.

Nat Neurosci. Alzoubaidi M, Mokhlesi B. Obstructive sleep apnea during rapid eye movement sleep: clinical relevance and therapeutic implications. Curr Opin Pulm Med. The effects of sleep quality on dream and waking emotions. Nicolas A, Ruby P. Dreams, sleep, and psychotropic drugs. Front Neurol. Metoprolol-associated central nervous system complications. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nat Sci Sleep. Disturbed dreaming during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Sleep Med. Sleep Foundation. Vivid dreams. Updated October Johnson B. Drug abuse, dreams, and nightmares. A systematic review on sleep alterations anticipating the onset of bipolar disorder. If you are experiencing sleep loss due to chronic nightmares, it is important to speak with your doctor. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body which supports the sleep-wake cycle.

There is conflicting data on the effects of melatonin supplements and dreams. It has been shown to reduce vivid dreams in certain sleep disturbances.

For example, a study of individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder found melatonin supplements reduced frightening dreams and other symptoms. In other scenarios, melatonin may increase REM sleep, and subsequently the chance to experience vivid dreams.

Long term effects of melatonin use are unknown, so be sure to ask a doctor about whether it is safe and appropriate for you. Alexa Fry is a science writer with experience working for the National Cancer Institute.

She also holds a certificate in technical writing. Wright, M. She has a decade of experience in the study of disease. A nighttime cough is the cold symptom most likely to interfere with sleep.

Learn how to sleep with a cough…. Learn more about the causes and underlying mechanisms of REM rebound, a phenomenon in which a person temporarily experiences more…. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

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It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The Sleep Foundation editorial team is dedicated to providing content that meets the highest standards for accuracy and objectivity. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Updated October 30, Written by Alexa Fry. Medically Reviewed by Heather Wright.

Are Vivid Dreams a Cause of Concern? What Causes Vivid Dreams? Factors that may contribute to vivid dreaming: Fragmented sleep : Since vivid dreams tend to occur during REM sleep, waking up during or right after REM sleep increases the chances that you will remember your dream more vividly. Sleep deprivation : A study found that participants deprived of REM sleep one night experienced longer periods of REM sleep and increased dream intensity the following night.

Stress : Evidence suggests that individuals suffering from symptoms of anxiety during the day are more likely to experience dreams with upsetting content. This may also lead to mental health disturbances, such as anxiety and depression.