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Why Do People Dream?

Dreams have long confounded the human race. While many theories exist, there is no definitive answer as to why you dream or what purpose it serves. The theories offer possible explanations and reasoning for the behavior and one theory might resonate with you and how you feel you dream. The brain is a complex part of the body that is active even when at rest.

  1. Learning

    • Some people believe dreams serve as a learning mechanism. Things you have learned throughout the day are reinforced in your dreaming process so that you will remember them for a longer period of time. This theory uses dreams as a practical application for the human process. It lends itself to the idea humans have a greater capacity for learning than other animals because of the brain's ability to process information in dreams.

    Memories

    • Memory theorists believe dreams are a filing system. As stuff occurs in your life it can be reinforced in your memory through dreams. These theorists focus on the dreams that incorporate parts of your day in fantastical ways. The scientists believe your brain is busy filing away the information while you sleep and the fantastical side of your brain continues to form stories around what is being stored in your memory.

    Problem Solving

    • Other theorists believe dreams work out problems in your life while you sleep. This allows for the brain to work without your own opinions getting in the way. While your conscious mind is asleep, the other parts of your brain are free to come up with solutions unencumbered by your own limitations. These theories were born of the many times people said, "I woke up and knew what I had to do." The idea is these "a-ha" moments must come from somewhere, in other words brain activity happening while you slept.

    Clearing Out of Information

    • Still others believe dreams are a way of clearing out unnecessary information. As your mind functions much like a computer, processing information and filing it, dreams are a way to reboot. These theories form around getting rid of information through dreams. This is your mind's way of fully excising useless thoughts or feelings. This theory also holds onto the idea dreams have other meanings, in other words telling you what you should act on before the data is lost forever.

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