Why Do We Dream?
添加时间：2020-07-04 11:18:19 浏览：2738
Although science knows what dreams are, it is still not known exactly why we dream, although plenty of theories exist.
It is generally assumed that dreams only occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This is when the brain appears to be in an active state but the individual is asleep and in a state of paralysis.
But studies have shown that they can also happen outside of REM.
Research from sleep studies shows that REM-related dreams tend to be more fantastical, more colorful and vivid whereas non-REM dreams are more concrete and usually characterized in black and white.
Recent studies on dreaming show that during a dream (and in particular a REM-related dream) the emotional center of the brain is highly active whereas the logical rational center of the brain is slowed.
This can help explain why these dreams are more emotive and surreal.
Evolutionary theory suggests the purpose of dreams is to learn, in a safe way, how to deal with challenging or threatening situations.
Whereas the "memory consolidation" theory suggests that dreams are a byproduct of reorganizing memory in response to what has been learned throughout the day.
Both theories have at least one thing in common — during times of stress and anxiety we either dream more or remember our dreams more often, as a way of coping with challenging circumstances and new information.