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What happens in your head at night, new science reveals, is more important than you think.
Dreams are a way for the subconscious to communicate with the conscious mind. Dreaming of something you’re worried about, researchers say, is the brain’s way of helping you rehearse for a disaster in case it occurs. Dreaming of a challenge, like giving a presentation at work or playing sports, can enhance your performance. And cognitive neuroscientists have discovered that dreams and the rapid eye movement (REM) that happens while you’re dreaming are linked to our ability to learn and remember.
No device lets researchers probe the content of dreams while we sleep, but scientists are finding new ways to interpret dreams once we’ve awakened. A new generation of psychologists insists that dream symbols differ depending on the dreamer. Each person understands his or her dreams better than anyone else – including traditional psychoanalysts.
Today, psychologists are applying modern technology to probe the content of dreams. More than 80% of people dream in colour, although only a quarter recall the shades the next morning. It is suggested that specific colours represent particular emotions (for example, red means action, excitement and desire; blue equals calmness, tranquillity and harmony; black connotes fear, anxiety and intimidation).
But, as with symbols and action, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to interpretation. Every dreamer draws on a different palette to reflect personal associations. Using colour is your brain’s way of painting your dreams with your emotion.