Have you ever woken up with a dream so clear it feels real, only to forget it completely a few minutes later? Or perhaps you know someone who says they never dream at all. According to a recent article in The Conversation, based on research by sleep scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast, these experiences are completely normal and are linked to how our brains move through different stages of sleep.
The article, written by Professor of Sleep Health Yaqoot Fatima, research fellow Danielle Wilson, and research program manager Nisreen Aouira, explains that everyone dreams, even if they do not remember it. What changes from person to person is how often dreams are recalled and how vivid they seem.
Sleep cycles play a big role
According to the researchers, sleep is not one continuous state. During the night, the brain moves through repeating cycles of light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Each cycle lasts about 90 minutes, and we go through several of them every night.
Deep sleep is most common earlier in the night and is important for physical recovery, memory storage, and restoring energy. REM sleep happens more often in the later part of the night and is the stage most strongly linked with dreaming.
Because of this pattern, the moment you wake up makes a big difference. The article explains that if you wake during or just after REM sleep, you are much more likely to remember a dream. If you wake from deep sleep, you may have been dreaming earlier, but you probably will not recall it. This does not mean anything is wrong. It simply reflects how the sleeping brain works.
Why some people remember dreams more often
The article in The Conversation also notes that dream recall varies from person to person for several reasons. Age can play a part, with some studies suggesting that people tend to remember fewer dreams as they get older. Research has also found that women may recall dreams more often than men, although the reasons for this are not fully understood.
Medication can also influence dream recall. The researchers explain that certain drugs, including some antidepressants and sedatives, may affect sleep patterns and make dreams harder to remember.
Timing is another important factor. Because REM sleep becomes longer toward the morning, dreams that occur just before waking are easier to recall. People who wake during the night, such as light sleepers or parents of young children, may remember more dreams simply because they wake up more often during REM sleep.
Even the way you wake up can make a difference. According to the article, being woken suddenly can cause a dream to disappear almost instantly, while waking gradually gives the brain time to hold onto the memory. Some people are also naturally better at remembering dreams and are sometimes described as “high recallers”.
Why some dreams feel so intense
Many people notice that some dreams feel unusually emotional or vivid. The researchers explain that this is also linked to REM sleep. During this stage, parts of the brain connected to emotions, such as the amygdala and limbic system, are very active. At the same time, areas that control logic and reasoning are less active.
This combination can make dreams feel dramatic, strange, or highly emotional. Stress, major life changes, or strong feelings during the day can also make dreams seem more intense, as the brain processes experiences and stores memories while we sleep.
In most cases, vivid dreams are not a problem. The article notes that dreaming is a normal and healthy part of emotional processing.
Does remembering dreams mean you slept badly?
Many people assume that remembering dreams means they did not sleep well, but the research suggests this is not true. According to the authors of the The Conversation article, dream recall is not a reliable way to judge sleep quality.
Instead, it is more helpful to look at how you feel during the day. Feeling rested when you wake up, having enough energy, and being able to concentrate are better signs of good sleep than whether or not you remember your dreams.
The researchers say that changes in dream recall are usually nothing to worry about. However, it may be worth speaking to a health professional if sleep is often disturbed, nightmares are frequent, or you feel tired during the day despite spending enough time in bed.
For most people, though, remembering some dreams and forgetting others is simply part of normal, healthy sleep. The brain continues working through the night, processing memories and emotions, whether we remember it in the morning or not.
