DreamsDreams

By: Lauren Masey, Jasen By: Lauren Masey, Jasen Durrence, Stephen Scarbrough, Durrence, Stephen Scarbrough, Anant Thakkar, Audrey WinnardAnant Thakkar, Audrey Winnard

DreamsDreams

Images that are Images that are experienced during experienced during sleepsleep

Occurs during the 5Occurs during the 5thth and last stage of sleep, and last stage of sleep, REM (Rapid Eye REM (Rapid Eye Movement)Movement)

Levels of acetylcholine Levels of acetylcholine in the pons of the in the pons of the brainstem increases brainstem increases while serotonin and while serotonin and norepinephrine levels norepinephrine levels dropdrop

4-6 dreams a night but 4-6 dreams a night but less than 1% are less than 1% are rememberedremembered

Evolution of DreamsEvolution of Dreams Shows the private thoughts of the dreamerShows the private thoughts of the dreamer Solves problems through thoughts on:Solves problems through thoughts on:

– SelfSelf– Other peopleOther people– WorldWorld– ProblemsProblems– DesiresDesires

Throughout most of human evolution dreams have Throughout most of human evolution dreams have been documented. If they didn’t serve a purpose been documented. If they didn’t serve a purpose we would not have themwe would not have them

Costs and BenefitsCosts and Benefits Dreams allow people to Dreams allow people to

process emotions and process emotions and relieve stressrelieve stress

Studies done on how Studies done on how dreams may help organize dreams may help organize or retain memories or retain memories

Dreaming can also be Dreaming can also be looked at as a work of art looked at as a work of art that does not require any that does not require any talent or special trainingtalent or special training

REM sleep or “dream” REM sleep or “dream” sleep can lead to an sleep can lead to an increase in blood pressure, increase in blood pressure, increased breathing, and increased breathing, and potentially disruptive sleep.potentially disruptive sleep.

Some people experience Some people experience potentially harmful potentially harmful dreaming because of a dreaming because of a condition that does not condition that does not shut down signals to the shut down signals to the spinal cord. This can lead spinal cord. This can lead to severe injury or death.to severe injury or death.

Interpretation of DreamsInterpretation of Dreams

Interpretation of DreamsInterpretation of Dreams First known dream interpretations dates First known dream interpretations dates

back to 3000-4000 B.C.back to 3000-4000 B.C. Cultures vary in their views of dreams.Cultures vary in their views of dreams.

– RomanRoman– ChineseChinese– EgyptianEgyptian– ChristianChristian

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud

Dreams are the “royal road to the Dreams are the “royal road to the unconscious.”unconscious.”

Subconscious wishes to be interpreted.Subconscious wishes to be interpreted. They represent pleasure in your lifeThey represent pleasure in your life

Unique Dreams in HistoryUnique Dreams in History

President Abraham Lincoln dreamt of his President Abraham Lincoln dreamt of his assassination a few days before the actual assassination a few days before the actual event.event.

Elias Howe dreamt of how to make the Elias Howe dreamt of how to make the sewing machine finally work in 1845.sewing machine finally work in 1845.

Mary Shelley’s idea for the novel Mary Shelley’s idea for the novel Frankenstein Frankenstein began with a dream.began with a dream.

Physiology: The Activation Synthesis Physiology: The Activation Synthesis TheoryTheory

Developed by Allan Developed by Allan Hobson and Robert Hobson and Robert McCarley in 1977McCarley in 1977

During sleep neurons During sleep neurons randomly fire causing randomly fire causing brain to synthesize brain to synthesize storylines to explain storylines to explain themthem

Purely physiological, Purely physiological, not psychologicalnot psychological

DreamsDreams

Dream Theories are simply that- theories. Dream Theories are simply that- theories. They are open to debate and interpretation They are open to debate and interpretation

of informationof information

Work CitedWork Cited dreamresearch.netdreamresearch.net Longevity.about.com/od/sleep/a/dreamsLongevity.about.com/od/sleep/a/dreams Helpguide.org/life/sleeping.htmHelpguide.org/life/sleeping.htm http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20030804_633http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20030804_633

52_6335252_63352 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?

res=9B0DE1D91730F93AA15751C1A961948260&sec=&sres=9B0DE1D91730F93AA15751C1A961948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1pon=&pagewanted=1

http://www.biology-online.org/8/6_sleep_dreams.htmhttp://www.biology-online.org/8/6_sleep_dreams.htm http://www.a2zpsychology.com/psychology_guide/http://www.a2zpsychology.com/psychology_guide/

dreams.htmdreams.htm http://www.whatislife.com/issues/issues-sleep.htm http://www.whatislife.com/issues/issues-sleep.htm