Such dreams arise from a paradoxical state where the brain is activated during REM sleep, and the body is still completely helpless.
If dreams are a reflection of what we experienced in real life, then why do a prince and a beggar, a Nobel laureate and a C-student, have the same dreams? And the most amazing thing is that the same visions are visited not only by people who are on diametrically opposite rungs of the social ladder, but also by representatives of different cultures and races. Cross-cultural studies conducted by scientists in Canada, Germany and China have revealed that most often people dream that they are running away from someone or that they themselves are chasing someone and cannot catch up; fall or fly; Feel helpless trying to catch somewhere (such as a train) or take an exam. In addition, the Top 10 Dreams includes stories about erotic experiences and school history.
Why, with all the diversity of our “I”, are these typical plots so widespread? The famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud believed that our subconscious complexes, fears and desires are realized in dreams. However, psychologist Rainer Schoenhammer from the University of Art and Design. Burg Gibichenstein (Germany) believes that Freud's hypothesis is erroneous, and the answer must be sought in the field of neurobiology.
In 90 percent of cases, vivid dreams occur during REM sleep, explains Professor Schenhammer. This paradoxical state occurs within 70-90 minutes from the moment of falling asleep, while the electrical activity of the brain practically reaches the level of wakefulness. Cerebral circulation increases, heart rate increases, and under closed eyelids, the eyeballs make rapid, chaotic movements. But at the same time, there is a sharp drop in muscle tone and the person is completely paralyzed.
During sleep, a part of the brain called the Varoliev Bridge “commands the parade” - it is responsible for transmitting information from the spinal cord to the brain. It is there that the bundles of neurons are located, which give the command "Climb!" or vice versa, they decide to sleep for some more time. But in addition, neurons also live on the Varoliyev bridge, which receive signals from our vestibular system - it is responsible for the balance and sensation of our body in space.
Thus, the area that controls sleep and awakening involuntarily "harasses" neighbors from the "vetibular workshop". Puzzled neurons are aware of the helpless state of the body and send "up" a report, which the activated brain decodes as a set of strange sensations: weightlessness, flight or swimming underwater. Attempts to flee in a dream or a state of powerlessness when you want to do something (for example, get dressed or pack things) but cannot - are also caused by the state of dissociation of the active brain and body.
But why do we rarely have happy dreams? In the arms of Morpheus, we most often feel anxiety, fear and anxiety. Rainer Schönhammer has an answer to this question too. The fact is that the level of serotonin (this is a neurotransmitter, which is called the "hormone of happiness") in the body decreases to a minimum just between midnight and early morning. Therefore, having seen a bad dream, you should not grab onto the interpreter of dreams. The nightmare most likely has a purely chemical cause.
YAROSLAV KOROBATOV
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