22 interesting facts about dreams that might blow your mind
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Ever woken up from a dream and been like, "Whoa... How did my brain come up with that?!" Let's explore some fun facts and common myths about dreams, and why you dream at all.
Ever had a vivid dream that you were soaring over a beautiful city, stressing over a test you didn’t study for, or being chased by a terrifying vampire? Dreams can be wonderful, weird, and wild, and no matter what they’re about, they all seem to force the question: “What could that possibly mean?”
Naturally, dreams have fascinated people for a long time. Ancient cultures thought they were messages from the gods, while modern scientists are split. Some see them as glimpses into our subconscious, while others suggest that they could help us process emotions, solidify our memories, or even help us solve problems. And some think they don’t have any meaning at all.
So, let’s explore some of the most interesting facts about dreams — some fun, some strange, and some that might just change the way you think about what happens in your head while you sleep. Plus, we’ll bust a few common dream myths along the way (because no, dreaming about your teeth falling out does not mean your life is falling apart).
Why do you dream?
Scientists don’t know exactly why you dream, but they do have some theories. One idea is that dreaming helps with processing emotions and memories, and another is that dreams help you practice for real life. Your brain might be running through “what if” scenarios, so you’re more prepared when something similar happens. This could explain why people dream about stressful situations — like being chased, running late, or, yes, showing up to work without pants.
Dreams also might very well be our mind’s way of letting our imagination run wild. Some of the world’s biggest ideas supposedly came from dreams, including the melody for “Yesterday” by Paul McCartney. But some researchers think that dreams are just random brain activity and don’t mean anything at all.
22 surprising facts about dreaming
Dreams usually spark more questions than answers. To help understand a little bit more about these mysterious stories when you sleep, here are some fun facts and a few myths.
Fun facts about dreams
Dreams can be confusing, hilarious, or downright random (why was your third-grade teacher at your wedding?). But beyond the weird storylines, there are some seriously fascinating things about the way you dream.
1. You dream multiple times every night: It’s common to have multiple dreams every night. Since you go through multiple sleep cycles, you also dream multiple times. The longest and most detailed dreams usually happen in the last few hours before you wake up.
2. Your brain is super active while you sleep: Your brain actually stays active as you sleep, especially during REM. In some ways, your brain can be just as busy as it is when you’re awake. Which could explain why your dreams feel so vivid.
3. Most dreams disappear within minutes: Many people have experienced a dream that felt so real, only to forget it a couple of seconds after they get out of bed. Surprisingly, about 90% of our dreams fade away within 10 minutes of us waking up.
4. Some people dream in black and white: While most people dream in color, around 12% of people report dreaming in black and white. Some studies even suggest that people who grew up watching black-and-white TV are a little more likely to experience grayscale dreams.
5. Animals dream too: Animals experience REM sleep just like you do. Studies have shown that dogs, cats, and even rats have dreams about things that they normally do when they’re awake.
6. Your body is paralyzed while you dream: During REM sleep, your brain temporarily paralyzes most of your muscles to keep you from acting out your dreams. That’s why you might dream of running but feel like you’re moving in slow motion.
7. You can’t read or tell time in a dream: Try reading something in a dream — it probably won’t make sense. The same goes for clocks, as the time often looks distorted or constantly changes. Some people use this trick to realize they’re dreaming and enter a lucid dream state.
8. Eating certain foods might give you crazy dreams: Spicy foods, cheese, and even chocolate have been linked to more vivid or intense dreams. Some studies suggest this is because they affect our digestion and body temperature, which can influence sleep.
9. You can train yourself to control your dreams: Lucid dreaming is when you realize you’re dreaming and can take control. Some people naturally experience it, but others practice techniques—like reality checks and dream journaling—to make it happen more often.
💙 Listen to Magic and Dreams with Tamara Levitt to help get you in the right headspace for good sleep.
Facts about scary dreams
Nightmares can scare the living daylights out of us. Let’s unpack some facts about them to help us be a little less afraid. (If you’re experiencing frequent nightmares, here are 10 ways to cope.)
10. Nightmares are more common in kids, but adults get them too: Children tend to have more nightmares because their brains are still developing, but stress, anxiety, and major life changes can potentially bring them on at any age.
(Here are 10 ways your child can sleep better if they’re experiencing sleep anxiety due to nightmares.)
11. Nightmares and night terrors are not the same thing: Nightmares happen during REM sleep and can wake you up, but night terrors occur in deep sleep. People experiencing night terrors might thrash, scream, or sit up in bed, but they typically don’t remember it in the morning.
12. Some common nightmares have universal themes: Some nightmares seem to appear everywhere. The most common include:
Being chased (linked to stress or avoidance)
Falling (often connected to insecurity or lack of control)
Being trapped (may indicate you feel stuck in real life)
Losing teeth (some believe this represents insecurity, while others link it to dental health)
13. Sleep paralysis is a real experience: If you’ve even woken up and felt unable to move or speak, you’ve most likely experienced sleep paralysis. This usually happens when your brain wakes up before your body does, and it can leave you temporarily stuck between sleep and wakefulness. (These eight tips can help you cope.)
14. Recurring nightmares might be trying to tell us something: Having the same bad dream over and over can be your brain’s way of telling you that you need to process something. Common triggers for nightmares could include stress, unresolved trauma, and emotional struggles.
15. Avoiding scary movies before bed might help: Your experiences just before bed could influence your dreams. Horror movies, stressful news, and even a heated argument could lead you to have more intense and unsettling dreams.
Myths about dreams
There are tons of myths about dreams out there. Let’s separate some of the facts from fiction.
16. If you die in a dream, you die in real life: Many people have reported dreaming of their own deaths — and they’ve woken up to tell the tale. Dream deaths are usually just symbolic and often tied to major changes or transitions in our lives.
17. Dreams can predict the future: While some people swear that they have prophetic dreams, science suggests that dreams are more likely to reflect our subconscious thoughts and worries than actual future events.
18. If you dream about someone, they’re dreaming about us: As romantic as this idea is, there’s no evidence that dreaming about someone means they’re also dreaming about us too. More likely than not, your brain is just pulling from your memories and emotions.
19. You only dream during REM sleep: Most dreams happen in REM sleep, but scientists have found that dreams can also occur in non-REM stages, though these dreams tend to be less detailed.
20. You can’t control our dreams: With practice, many people can actually become aware that they’re dreaming and then take control.
21. External noises don’t affect dreams: Real-world sounds can sneak into your dreams. Your brain sometimes weaves outside noises into your dream storyline.
22. People who don’t remember their dreams don’t dream at all: You dream every single night, but not everyone remembers their dreams. Sleep quality, stress levels, and even what time you wake up can all affect dream recall.
💙 Listen to Restful Sleep with Elisha Goldstein if you feel like your sleep quality is lacking right now.
Facts about dreams FAQs
Can I control what I dream about?
When you’re lucid dreaming, which is when you realize you’re dreaming, you can sometimes influence what happens next in your dream. Some people naturally experience lucid dreams, but others have to train themselves to do it (these six tips can help).
Techniques like reality checks, where you check a clock to see if it changes, and keeping a dream journal can help you lucid dream. Also, meditation and visualization before bed can help increase your chances of becoming aware inside your dreams.
How can I avoid having a nightmare?
Nightmares usually happen when we’re stressed, anxious, or processing difficult emotions. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine though can help to reduce them.
Calming activities like reading, deep breathing, and gentle stretching before bed can help your brain naturally wind down. Also, try to avoid watching scary movies or consuming news right before sleep. Stressful images and emotions can sometimes sneak into your dreams.
If you have recurring nightmares, keeping a dream journal might help you identify patterns and triggers. But talk to a professional if your nightmares are frequent and intense, as they could be linked to underlying anxiety or trauma.
Why can I never remember my dreams?
Most people forget their dreams within minutes of waking up. This typically happens because your brain prioritizes waking memories over dream memories. As a result, your memories tend to fade quickly unless you actively try to remember them.
One trick you can try to help you remember your dreams is to stay still for a moment upon waking, as moving too quickly can cause your dreams to slip away. You can also keep a notebook by your bed and write down anything you remember when you wake up. This can help improve your dream recall over time.
Do my recurring dreams mean anything?
Recurring dreams often can reflect unresolved emotions, stress, and patterns in your waking life. This could be your brain's way of trying to process something that you haven’t fully dealt with, like anxiety or a major life change.
To help you better understand your recurring dreams, consider how they make you feel. If they’re frustrating, scary, or unsettling, there may be an underlying issue your subconscious is urging you to explore. On the flip side, some recurring dreams are positive, like repeatedly visiting a specific place you like, and this just might be a sign of deep-seated interests.
Can external sounds influence my dreams?
External sounds can influence your dreams. Your brain tends to remain partially aware of its surroundings while you sleep, and outside noises could potentially sneak into your dreams. For example, if your alarm clock goes off, you might dream of a fire alarm.
Also, if music’s playing in the background while you sleep, your brain could potentially weave that into your dream’s storyline. Some people even use this to their advantage and listen to affirmations or guided meditations before bed to try to the content of their dreams.
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