Is sleep without dreams boring? Which type of sleep quality is better, dreaming more or less?

People often ask

Oh, I dream too much at night.

Is there something wrong with your body?

But someone asked

I seem to dream very little

Is there something wrong with this?

Don't panic yet

Let me give you the answer today

Dreaming itself is a normal physiological phenomenon of sleep.

On average, most people dream for about 2 hours each night , and while dreams can occur during any stage of sleep, dreams are the richest and most vivid during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage.

You may have this feeling: before waking up in the morning, you often feel like you have been dreaming.

This is because, in the second half of the night (including the time when you wake up near the early morning), REM sleep accounts for a larger proportion and there are more opportunities to dream.

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Based on the population data currently surveyed by scientists, the conclusion that can be drawn is that dreaming itself is a normal physiological phenomenon.

Scientists used polysomnography to monitor sleep outcomes and stages and found that:

Dreaming alone does not affect sleep (nor does it affect sleep structure), but nightmares are an exception.

Note that medicine has a stricter definition of nightmares, which refers to a nightmare that wakes you up from sleep.

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Nightmares can affect sleep because they interrupt sleep and often make it difficult for people to fall asleep.

However, dreams that are very nervous and scary but do not wake you up are called "nervous dreams." Nervous dreams are normal and usually benign.

When it comes to nightmares that affect sleep, you may be a little worried: I have had this kind of nightmare; my children have had nightmares; is this a big deal?

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In fact, it is normal for children and adults to have nightmares occasionally. Although it will affect sleep and daytime state at night, as long as it is not frequent, there is no need to worry.

However, if you experience any of the following, you should see a doctor:

●Nightmares occur more than once a week.

●Nightmares interfere with your sleep, mood, and/or daily activities.

●The nightmares began at the same time you started taking a new medication.

You should know that frequent nightmares will cause lack of sleep, and will cause anxiety, fear of sleep, and active reduction of sleep.

Sleep deprivation will cause the rapid eye movement period during sleep to rebound (become more), which in turn leads to more nightmares, entering a vicious cycle.

Therefore, at this time, don't resist, it is recommended to see a specialist. There are two purposes:

1. Evaluate the underlying causes of frequent nightmares; some causes are treatable.

2. Treat the symptom of nightmares itself, reduce the frequency of nightmares, and reduce the impact on life.

Then why do many people feel that they have many dreams, did not sleep well, and are not in good condition during the day?

At this time, you need to put aside the dream problem first, and start looking for the cause directly from **"poor sleep and bad daytime state"**, such as:

The sleeping environment has changed;

I feel unwell;

Recent mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression);

Recently taken certain medications (including health supplements, Chinese herbal medicines);

and having some specific sleep disorder.

In short, dreaming is a normal phenomenon during sleep and is a manifestation of brain activity in certain stages of sleep.

Everyone goes through multiple sleep cycles each night, and most people have multiple dreams throughout a night's sleep, but not all dreams are remembered.

However, if you often have nightmares (the kind that wakes you up in fright), or if even if it is not a nightmare but you feel that your daytime state is significantly affected, it is recommended that you seek professional help.

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Content Production

Source: Popular Science China "Dreaming frequently vs. dreaming rarely, who has better sleep quality? The answer is actually... "

Author: Yu Zhouwei

Editor: Zhang Fuyao

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty