Waking up from a dream—like the one where you suddenly find yourself unprepared for a test when you haven’t been in school for ages—can leave you wondering about its meaning. While dreams are personal to each individual, many people share common themes in their nighttime narratives.
Doctors suggest there are reasons behind these dreams, although understanding them isn’t straightforward. As Timothy Sullivan, M.D., the interim chair of psychiatry at Northwell’s Northern Westchester Hospital, puts it, “It’s complicated.” There’s plenty of research out there, but we still lack a clear understanding of why we dream.
Philosophers and psychologists alike often believe that dreams help us sort through our feelings and problems, according to Dr. Sullivan. However, he acknowledges that this doesn’t fully explain the phenomenon of dreaming itself or why we dream about certain things.
If you’ve recently experienced a vivid dream that lingers in your mind, you might be curious about what it means. Here’s some insight from medical professionals.
What causes dreams?
Dreaming is often linked to how we process memories. Beth Malow, M.D., a neurologist at Vanderbilt Health, explains that dreams occur as we sift through memories—like clearing out what’s no longer needed or moving important memories to long-term storage. This is perhaps why dreams frequently connect to recent experiences.
According to Aarti Grover, M.D., medical director at Tufts Medical Center, dreams are a normal and healthy aspect of sleep. While individual interpretations vary, many people observe recurring themes that reflect broad human concerns.
Dreaming occurs during REM sleep, which comprises about 25% of our sleep cycle. Christopher Winter, M.D., a neurologist, notes that REM sleep mainly happens in the later part of the night and plays a critical role in processing memories and emotions.
The science behind common dreams
Though everyone experiences dreams differently, certain themes appear frequently. Let’s explore what these might signify.
Your teeth fell out.
This dream could stem from health worries or feelings of losing control. Increased stress—especially during major life changes—may heighten the likelihood of this dream, according to Dr. Grover.
You’re being chased.
Being pursued, whether by a person, animal, or something unknown, can indicate underlying anxiety or insecurity. It might also symbolize pressure from a deadline. Dr. Grover says it can represent instinctive survival mechanisms.
You’re falling.
This feeling often connects to hypnic jerks (sudden muscle contractions) at the onset of sleep, as explained by Dr. Winter. Generally, it indicates feelings of losing control, which can be exacerbated by stress or unmanageable workloads.
You’re naked in public.
This scenario frequently ties to issues of confidence, imposter syndrome, or body image. Dr. Grover notes it may reflect vulnerability when facing new situations where you need to demonstrate your abilities, such as starting a job or joining a new group.
You’re unprepared for a test.
Dreaming of this scenario can leave you perplexed, especially when you’ve not been in school for a while. According to Dr. Winter, this relates to performance anxiety and perfectionism, possibly reflecting worries about an upcoming work presentation or similar task.
You can fly.
Flying in dreams may relate to either positive or negative experiences. Dr. Grover suggests it often symbolizes liberation from feeling trapped, while it might also indicate a desire to escape something troubling, as noted by Dr. Winter.
There’s cheating in your relationship.
Dreaming about infidelity—whether it’s your action or someone else’s—can signify feelings of neglect or a lack of connection in your relationship, according to Dr. Grover. It may also highlight personal insecurity or fears of abandonment, as discussed by Dr. Winter.
You’re drowning.
This dream can indicate feeling overwhelmed or out of control in your life. Dr. Grover adds that it may also relate to confronting intense emotions or stressful circumstances.
You interact with loved ones who have died.
This experience can be part of the grieving journey, according to Dr. Grover. Unresolved feelings may manifest in dreams about the deceased, or it could stem from feelings of abandonment as Dr. Winter notes.
You’re having sex.
This type of dream might indicate unmet desires, be they sexual or otherwise. While it’s also common for people to experience sexual arousal during sleep, Dr. Winter points out that these sensations can carry over into dreams.
In conclusion, experts agree that dreaming is universal. However, the specific significance of each dream varies, creating a captivating topic for exploration.
