Dreams are one of the most mysterious and fascinating aspects of human consciousness. Sometimes they seem vivid and emotionally powerful, but in most cases, we forget them within minutes after waking up. Why is that? Science has several explanations that involve brain activity, sleep phases, and memory consolidation processes. In this article, Baltimore Chronicle will dive deep into how our brain functions during sleep, what prevents us from remembering dreams, and whether we can learn to retain them better.
How the Brain Works During Sleep
Our sleep consists of cycles that alternate between REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM phases. It is in the REM stage that the most vivid and emotionally intense dreams occur.
During REM sleep:
- Brain activity becomes similar to the waking state.
- The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex reduce activity, which affects memory.
- The amygdala, which processes emotions, becomes highly active.
- Muscles are temporarily paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams.
Key Functions of Sleep Cycles:
- Restoring physical energy and repairing tissues.
- Processing emotions and traumatic experiences.
- Consolidating daytime memories.
- Clearing neural waste products from the brain.
Since the parts of the brain responsible for logic and short-term memory are less active during REM sleep, it becomes harder to encode dreams into long-term memory.
Why We Forget Dreams So Quickly
Forgetting dreams is not a flaw of memory but rather a biological and neurological phenomenon. Scientists identify several main reasons:
1. Low Activity of the Prefrontal Cortex
This part of the brain is responsible for logical thinking and forming long-term memories. During REM sleep, its activity drops, which means the dreams are not processed and stored in the usual way.
2. Lack of Encoding Stimuli
When we’re awake, we remember events due to accompanying stimuli — sounds, visuals, emotions, context. During sleep, the brain doesn’t receive such external signals, making it harder to create a stable memory trace.
3. Neurochemical Environment of the Sleeping Brain
The level of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which support memory, is significantly reduced during REM sleep.
4. Transition Between Sleep and Wakefulness
Upon awakening, the brain quickly switches to a different operating mode. If a dream is not immediately recalled and consciously recorded, it is often lost forever.
Comparison Table: Wakefulness vs. REM Sleep Brain Function
| Function/Region | Wakefulness | REM Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Prefrontal Cortex | Active | Low activity |
| Memory Encoding | Effective | Impaired |
| Visual Cortex | Reactive to real images | Reactive to dream images |
| Emotional Response (Amygdala) | Balanced | Heightened |
| Muscle Control | Functional | Suppressed |
| Conscious Awareness | Stable | Fragmented |
Can We Learn to Remember Dreams?
Although dreams are often forgotten, there are methods to improve dream recall. Psychologists and neuroscientists offer several practical strategies:
Techniques to Improve Dream Memory
- Keep a dream journal – Write down dreams immediately upon waking.
- Avoid sudden awakenings – Use a gentle alarm or wake naturally to keep the dream fresh.
- Set the intention before bed – Tell yourself you want to remember your dreams.
- Reduce alcohol and medications – Some substances interfere with REM sleep.
- Wake up during REM phase – Using sleep tracking devices or apps may help you wake during dream-rich moments.
These methods help strengthen the connection between conscious and unconscious memory processes.
The Function of Forgetting Dreams
Some scientists believe that forgetting dreams has an adaptive function. It may protect the brain from overload and emotional confusion. Since many dreams involve surreal or illogical content, storing all of them could interfere with normal thinking patterns and emotional regulation.
Possible Functions of Forgetting:
- Preventing memory interference.
- Preserving energy for vital information.
- Supporting psychological resilience.
When Is Forgetting Dreams a Concern?
In general, forgetting dreams is normal. However, if you:
- never recall any dreams,
- experience signs of sleep disorders,
- or have sudden changes in dreaming frequency,
…it may be worth consulting a sleep specialist. Dream analysis can also be used in psychotherapy, especially for working with trauma or anxiety.
Earlier we wrote about why do nightmares happen.