Is It Bad To Dream A Lot At Night?

There are those who think that sleeping is a waste of time, since when they go to bed they completely disconnect from what is happening until the alarm clock rings the next morning. On the other hand, for others, each night is an adventure and the dawn brings the memory of the most fascinating, fantastic and intense stories that have been lived in dreams. Given the differences between the nocturnal experiences of each person, it is worth wondering if dreaming a lot can have an impact on our health.

This question is likely to be most often asked by those who suffer from nightmares frequently. Waking up with a great sense of anguish is not at all comforting. However, even those who have dreams of neutral or positive content often feel that they do not rest properly because they have spent the night immersed in these dream worlds. But what is true in all this?

Why is dreaming a lot more common in some people than others?

We generally make a distinction between those who dream a lot and those who rarely have these experiences. However, unless there is a severe pathology, everyone dreams every night; and not once, but several times. In reality, the difference lies in the ability of each individual to remember those dreams.

Thus, we can find people capable of relating the content of their nocturnal dreams every day and others who can hardly ever remember what they have dreamed of. If you are wondering why these differences are due, there are several causes.

The moment of awakening after dreaming a lot

This is a crucial aspect when it comes to being able to remember dreams. Let us bear in mind that, in humans, each complete sleep cycle lasts about 100 minutes and goes through various phases (drowsiness, light sleep, transition, deep sleep and REM sleep). Thus, each night we perform about five complete sleep cycles in our hours of rest.

It is mainly during the REM phase that the most vivid and complex dreams take place; And, if we wake up during this phase, it is much easier for us to remember what we dreamed of. As we move away from this moment, it becomes more difficult to remember.

The content of the dream

Nightmares and very vivid and intense dreams are remembered more often. Generally, when we have “irrelevant” dreams or with little emotional charge, they easily fade from our mind.

In this way, when we wake up we do not remember them. On the other hand, if they are extravagant, disturbing or distressing, that feeling lasts when you wake up and it is easier for the content of the dream to remain present and accessible to memory.

Personality

There also seem to be differences in personality between those who frequently remember their dreams and those who do not.

Thus, the former tend to be more imaginative and creative individuals, but also more reflective and prone to introspection. In some way, they are people who are more in contact with themselves and with their unconscious.

Neurobiological characteristics

One of the most interesting findings reveals that there are biological differences between people who remember their dreams and those who do not. Some studies have found that those who tend to remember show increased spontaneous activity at the temporoparietal junction of the brain. This implies that they produce a greater number of dreams and that, in addition, they are more likely to remember them when they wake up.

Is it bad to dream a lot at night?

To answer the initial question we have to remember that dreaming is a natural and necessary function for the body. During sleep, important processes of organization of information and consolidation of memory take place. Therefore, dreaming is very beneficial.

If you are one of those who usually remember their dreams, it is likely that you spend a good amount of time in REM phase and that your sleep is deep and restful. However, having the feeling that you dream a lot can also indicate that:

• You experience frequent awakenings throughout the night, which make it easier for you to remember your dreams but can seriously affect your rest.

• You suffer from nightmares on a regular basis, which can be a sign of a state of stress or even an anxiety disorder.

In short, dreaming a lot (or remembering dreams a lot) is not negative unless this is affecting your quality of life. If you feel that you are not resting well or that the content of your dreams affects your mood during the day, it is important that you consult with a health professional. Disregarding major disturbances and establishing good sleep hygiene may be necessary and beneficial.