31/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 31, 2025 theSunday Special VIII

heightened activity during REM sleep may explain the intense emotions often experienced in dreams. • Hippocampus: Responsible for memory consolidation, the hippocam pus helps integrate new information with existing memories, which can manifest in dreams as familiar yet altered scenarios. • Visual cortex: Even with closed eyes, the visual cortex remains active during REM sleep, producing the vivid images that populate our dreams. Interestingly, the prefrontal cortex, which governs logical reasoning, is less active during REM sleep. This reduced activity might explain why dreams often defy logic and contain bizarre elements. Why do we dream? Theories and insights Despite extensive research, the exact purpose of dreaming remains elusive. +RZHYHU VHYHUDO WKHRULHV R̆ HU LQVLJKWV • Emotional processing: Dreams may help process and regulate emo tions, allowing individuals to work through feelings and experiences subconsciously. • Memory consolidation: During sleep, particularly during REM stages, the brain consolidates memories by integrating new information with existing knowledge. Dreams might be a byproduct of this process. • Problem-solving: Some researchers suggest that dreams provide a safe space to explore solutions to problems, leading to creative insights upon wak ing. Threat simulation: This theory sug gests that dreams enable individuals to rehearse responses to threatening situ ations, thereby enhancing their survival mechanisms. Lucid dreaming: When awareness meets the dream world Lucid dreaming is a phenomenon in which the dreamer becomes aware that they’re dreaming and, in some cases, can even steer the narrative. It’s like being the director and actor in your own nocturnal movie. dane existence and connect with a more universal consciousness. Any messages received in this realm, whether personal or universal, are viewed as messages from the world ecology itself. • Indigenous cultures: Many indigenous communities, such as the Esa Eja of the Peruvian Amazon, regard dreams as essential for decision-making and under standing the world. In contemporary society, especially in urban settings, the communal sharing of dreams has diminished. Historically, dreams were shared and interpreted within com munities, serving as a means of guidance and cohesion. Today, dreams are often viewed through a personal or psychological lens, sometimes leading to their dismissal as mere byproducts of the sleep process.

It typically occurs during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep, a stage characterised by heightened brain activity and vivid dreams. However, what’s fascinating is that during lucid dreams, certain brain regions exhibit activity patterns distinct from both typical REM sleep and wakefulness. The Prefrontal Cortex is activated during this period. It is associated with decision-making and self-awareness and shows increased activity during lucid dreams. This heightened activity might explain the dreamer’s awareness and ability to control dream content. Furthermore, studies have noted a surge in gamma brain waves (around 40 Hz) during lucid dreaming, which are linked to conscious awareness and cognitive functions. These neural patterns suggest that lucid dreaming is a unique state of consciousness, blending elements of both wakefulness and dreaming. While some individuals naturally expe rience lucid dreams, others can cultivate WKLV DELOLW\ WKURXJK VSHFL¿F SUDFWLFHV • Reality testing: No, we don’t mean using a totem to recognise a dream, like in the movie Inception. However, regularly questioning your environ ment during the day (for example: “Am I dreaming?”) can increase the likelihood of recognising a dream state. • Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD): Before sleeping, repeat a phrase like “I will know I’m dreaming” to reinforce the intention of becoming lucid in dreams. • Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB): Wake up after about five hours of VOHHS VWD\ DZDNH EULHÀ\ WKHQ UHWXUQ to sleep. This method increases the chances of entering REM sleep con sciously. • Dream journaling: Recording dreams immediately upon waking can enhance dream recall and awareness, making it easier to recognise dream patterns. Why would anyone want to have lucid dreams? Well, it isn’t just a fascinating experience; it has practical applications, such as nightmare mitigation, skill re hearsal and creative exploration. While science continues to unravel the complexities of dreaming, many aspects remain unknown. Dreams bridge the gap between our conscious and subconscious minds, offering a window into our deepest thoughts, fears and desires. Whether viewed through the lens of neuroscience or cultural tradition, dreams remain a testament to the intricate workings of the human mind. So, the next time you wake from a vivid dream, take a moment to reflect. It might just offer a glimpse into the depths of your psyche or connect you to age-old traditions that have long revered the power of dreams. Me? At my current age, everything that happened during my dreams usually evaporates in less than 10 minutes after I wake up. However, that makes the dream that does stick even more memorable.

Your dreams unravelled H AVE you ever jolted awake from a dream that felt so real, it took a moment to remember where you were? How about a bizarre dream or a scary nightmare? If you were like me, who grew up in a traditional Malay family before the turn of the millennium, then you’ve probably had your mother tell you that it was because “you went to bed without washing your feet”. And, of course, you knew that was nonsense.

BY ASHRAF WAHAB

Ever wondered what science and culture say about our sleeping minds?

do we have them? Additionally, how do GL̆ HUHQW FXOWXUHV LQWHUSUHW WKHVH QLJKWO\ narratives? Let’s dive into the science and cultural tapestry of dreaming. The science of dreaming: What’s happening in our brains? Dreams primarily occur during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep. This is a phase characterised by heightened brain activity and vivid imagery. During REM sleep, several areas of the brain are particularly active: • Amygdala: This almond-shaped cluster, located deep within the brain, is central to processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. Its

But whether it’s a surreal adventure or a mundane replay of your day, dreams have fascinated humans for millennia. But what exactly are dreams and why

Cultural perspectives: Dreams across the globe viewed as messages from these gods and deities. The Egyptians practised dream incubation, sleeping in temples to receive divine guidance.

• Hinduism: In the Mandukya Upanishad, dreams are considered one of the three states of consciousness, alongside wak ing and deep sleep, reflecting the soul’s journey through life. • Buddhism: Dreams are seen as reflections of one’s inner state. Tibetan Buddhism, for instance, practices dream yoga to gain insight and achieve spiritual goals. • Islam: Dreams are categorised into three types: those from God, those from the self and those from Satan. Significant emphasis is placed on interpreting dreams for guidance and insight. • Native Americans: The dream space was regarded as a sacred place that allowed a person to step outside the bonds of mun

DREAMS have held significant meaning in various cultures throughout history: • Ancient Egypt: The dream world for ancient Egyptians existed between the land of the living and the world beyond. Gods, deities and the spirits of the dead inhabited this world on the other side. Therefore, dreams were