Since the dawn of time, humans have created fantastic worlds and epic stories without ever picking up a pen. People can grow wings, lead car chases, and travel the world without ever leaving their bed. These experiences may sound like the features of some newly created virtual reality technology; however, the truth is much simpler. This phenomenon, known as dreaming, remains barely understood even in our modern world today. Scientists have often pondered on the origins and causes of dreams; however, such hypotheses are almost impossible to prove. As a vivid dreamer, I have my own theory on the causes of many types of dreams.

Often the most memorable type of dream is the one I try hardest to forget: a nightmare. From even the earliest age, children awaken screaming in the night from visions of shadowy horrors and dark, oozing beasts. Parents are often told their child simply has an active imagination, or a frightening image may have suddenly appeared while they were watching the television. I, however, see nightmares differently. I believe as children, we are more sensitive to the world around us. Children can see the monster lurking in the shadows, where a parent sees only a blanket thrown over a chair. The terrifying image imprints on a young child’s brain, and seeing these apparitions obliquely through dreams is the easiest way for the consciousness to deal with the trauma of these encounters. Often, people remember nightmares more vividly than pleasant dreams. I believe this is due to our ability, at a young age, to see the monsters at any time; however, as we age, the only time the brain allows us to approach these painful memories is through dreams. Adults should treat their children’s nightmares with caution and patience. For additional security, always check under the bed, and tuck the child in as snugly as possible. However, nightmares are not the only type of dreams experienced on a regular basis.

Another subset of dreams, dreams of impossibility, are often experienced at any age. These include dreams of flight or the ability to breath underwater. Such dreams often feel extremely vivid; when I dream of breathing underwater I can almost feel the cool pure water pulsing in and out of my gills, and when I fly I can feel the powerful air currents pushing my body along. Upon waking, many people report feeling a vague sense of disappointment, or of feeling incomplete without these abilities. The root of these dreams lies in our early ancestors. I believe thousands of years ago, our evolutionary tree branched off in three directions, allowing for avian, aquatic, and bipedal human beings. However, our avian ancestors’ lack of wings and feathers caused their early extinction. The aquatic branch lasted a good time longer, lending to prolific stories of fantastic mermaids and cities under the sea, like Atlantis. In the end, however, the mermaids were slowly poisoned along with the world’s oceans through intense pollution. Now, only dreams of these ancestors remain. Perhaps people who often experience these dreams can trace their lineage back to our early ancestors, which provides an explanation for the incomplete feeling after such dreams. Oftentimes, dreams are not so clear cut and understandable, each providing a separate mystery.
Such dreams are the final and most prolific type. In these dreams, events are often nonsensical, following no distinct time pattern. Colorful images are juxtaposed against stark landscapes, inanimate objects gain consciousness, and vast distances are traveled in the blink of an eye. I believe this type of chaotic dream is caused by the brain’s need of a simple way to sort and process the immense amount of data received in one day. If the brain tried to file every bit of information immediately, our body would simply short circuit. The amount of data is too much for our brain to cope with while conscious, causing the body to utilize the nightly hours of unconsciousness provided by sleep to determine what information should be kept. The resulting scenarios, places, and events are often caused by multiple areas of the brain firing at once, thus giving the dream no logical meaning. However, such dreams should not be regarded as useless, as this time is vital for the brain to put the day’s information in order. Just as every dream is unique, so does every dream have a purpose.
The human ability to dream is one aspect which sets us apart from other species. In my examination of the numerous types of dreams, I discovered the true mystery, wonder, and complexity of the human brain. In the murky hours of unconsciousness, the brain is hard at work pushing the limits of human imagination, often leaving the dreamer with a sense of wonder upon awakening. I believe through greater in-depth research and testing, my hypotheses towards the world of dreams and consciousness can be proven true.