Christopher Winter, M.D<\/a>., a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast. \u201cIt is mainly concentrated in the second half of our night and it is important for memory and emotional processing,\u201d he says.<\/p>\nThe science behind the most common dreams<\/p>\n
Again, everyone dreams differently, but there are some common themes that tend to surface. Here\u2019s what\u2019s likely behind them.<\/p>\n
Your teeth fell out.<\/p>\n
There could be a few things behind this, including health concerns (not necessarily related to your teeth) or a general feeling of a lack of control, Dr. Winter says. Increased stress in your life lately, including from big life changes, may raise the odds of this, according to Dr. Grover.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re being chased.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re being chased by another person, an animal, or some unknown creature, Dr. Winter says this can signal anxiety or insecurity. It may also be a reflection of a looming deadline you\u2019re dealing with, he says. Overall, Dr. Grover says this could simply be a reflection of \u201csurvival skills as a way of threat avoidance.\u201d<\/p>\n
You\u2019re falling.<\/p>\n
This is usually related to hypnic jerks, aka sleep starts, that can happen when you first fall asleep, Dr. Winter. \u201cIt\u2019s typically thought to be related to loss of control,\u201d Dr. Grover says. Feeling stressed or being behind on your work can raise the risk of this, too, Dr. Winter says.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re naked in public.<\/p>\n
This can be associated with a range of things, including a lack of confidence, imposter syndrome, or body image issues, according to Dr. Winter. But Dr. Grover says that \u201cvulnerability in the setting of new changes that require you to show your skills\u201d raises the odds of this. (Think: starting a new job or joining a new social circle.)<\/p>\n
You\u2019re unprepared for a test.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s confusing to wake up feeling stressed from a dream where you took a test you weren\u2019t prepared for when you haven\u2019t been in school for a while. But Dr. Winter says this is a result of \u201cclassic performance anxiety and perfectionism.\u201d It could even bleed over from feeling unprepared for an upcoming work presentation or similar assignment.<\/p>\n
You can fly.<\/p>\n
This can be linked to positive or negative real-world experiences. Flying can mean you\u2019re feeling \u201cliberation typically related to something you may have felt stuck to in real life,\u201d Dr. Grover says. But it can also signal a need to escape from something you\u2019re struggling with, per Dr. Winter.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s cheating in your relationship.<\/p>\n
Cheating in a dream\u2014whether you did it or a partner did\u2014can signal a lack of connection or feeling neglected in your current relationship, Dr. Grover says. It can also highlight your own insecurity and a fear of being left or abandoned, according to Dr. Winter.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re drowning.<\/p>\n
The reason for this can be similar to falling, i.e. you feel like something in your life is out of control, Dr. Winter says. But Dr. Grover says it can also be a signal that you\u2019re dealing with a highly emotional or overwhelming situation in your life.<\/p>\n
You interact with loved ones who have died.<\/p>\n
This can be part of the grieving process, according to Dr. Grover. \u201cThese emotions may appear at night as they may have remained unresolved,\u201d she says. You may also have a dream about a late loved one as part of processing their death or because you feel abandoned, Dr. Winter says.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re having sex.<\/p>\n
There could be a few things behind this one. You may have unmet desires, whether they\u2019re sexual or non-sexual, Dr. Grover says. But it\u2019s also common for people to become aroused during sleep, according to Dr. Winter. \u201cThese feelings often spill over into sex,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, experts stress that everyone dreams. The exact meaning behind each one just varies\u2014and that\u2019s what makes them so fascinating.<\/p>\n
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