Throughout history, humans have speculated about the purpose and meaning of dreams. While once considered a fringe topic, recent scientific advancements have brought the study of dreams into the spotlight, turning it into a burgeoning research field. Here’s a look at some recent developments that could enhance our understanding of dreams.

Lucid dreams

One groundbreaking area of research involves lucid dreaming, where individuals become aware that they are dreaming and can sometimes exert control over their dream environment. In 2021, an international study demonstrated that lucid dreamers could communicate with researchers during their dreams. Building on this, a 2024 study pushed the boundaries further by training lucid dreamers to control a virtual car within their dreams.

In the experiment, 12 participants used subtle muscle movements to send signals to a computer, which then controlled the virtual vehicle. The dreamers received feedback in real-time about obstacles in the virtual environment. Although some participants managed to navigate the car effectively, others struggled despite their efforts. The practical applications of this technology remain unclear, partly due to the small sample size and the rarity of proficient lucid dreamers. Nevertheless, these findings hint at the possibility that, with practice, individuals might one day make decisions and communicate from within their dreams.

Why we dream?

Another intriguing aspect of dream research is the question of why we dream. Mark Blagrove, a sleep and dreams researcher at Swansea University, suggests that dreams may have evolved to enhance social connections and emotional intelligence. Since 2016, Blagrove has partnered with artist Julia Lockheart to explore this theory through a unique dream discussion and illustration group. Participants share their dreams, which Blagrove analyzes while Lockheart creates visual interpretations based on Freud’s seminal work, "The Interpretation of Dreams." Blagrove’s 2019 research indicated that discussing dreams in this manner could foster greater empathy between the dreamer and listeners, potentially offering survival advantages in ancestral times by strengthening social bonds.

Additionally, new theories are emerging about the function of dreams. At the June 2024 International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) annual conference, one notable theory was the embodied cognition theory. This idea proposes that dreams might help us prepare for cognitive tasks and challenges in waking life. Although still untested, this theory reflects growing scientific interest in the adaptive role of dreams.

As research continues to evolve, our understanding of dreams may eventually reveal their full significance, offering new insights into how our minds work and how dreams shape our lives.