They’re also more likely to happen in the morning.
Some people find them distressing.
During REM sleep, yourbrainprocesses your emotions and experiences and organizes them into long-term memories.
Adam Kuylenstierna / Getty Images
This may be why these turbulent dreams occur.
While vivid dreams are normal, they shouldn’t affect how you feel during the day.
This article looks at why vivid dreams occur and howpoor-quality sleepcan make you have more of them.
Adam Kuylenstierna / Getty Images
What Are Vivid Dreams?
You are most likely to have vivid dreams during REM sleep.
During REM sleep, thethalamus, a brain region that deals with sensory information, lights up.
It sends images and thoughts collected during the day to the cerebral cortex for processing.
Dreams happen during this time.Some dreams can be so vivid you wonder if they really happened.
Other dreams seem random or just slip from your memory.
Scientists do, however, recognize that emotions can express themselves in dreams.
If you mostly feel peace of mind, you’re more likely to have positive dreams.
In each cycle, there are periods of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
These are followed by short intervals of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Each of the sleep cycles lasts about 90 minutes.
As morning gets closer, the NREM periods become shorter and the REM periods become longer.
Most REM occurs in the last third of the night.
Many people recall a dream when they wake during their last REM period.
You’re most likely to remember vivid dreams when REM sleep is interrupted.
Your sleep drive, or desire to sleep, also lessens the longer you sleep.
This makes you more likely to become restless and wake up toward morning.
That increases the chance you’ll wake during an REM period.
When the muscles in your airway relax, it can interrupt breathing and wake you up.
When this happens, you’re more likely to remember what you were dreaming about.
What Causes Vivid Dreams?
Medications
Various classes of medication can cause vivid dreams and nightmares in some people.
Certain antidepressants calledselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)are most likely to do this.
One such drug is Prozac (fluoxetine), which also makes you more likely to recall your dreams.
Beta-blockershave been linked to vivid dreams, as well.
These medications are commonly used to treat cardiovascular disease.
It might be worth switching to a different medication.
Sleep Disorders
When you wake up often, you’re more likely to recall having vivid dreams.
Sleep disorders may cause you to wake up several times overnight.
In fact, it may even be just as harmful as not getting any sleep at all.
Pregnancy
People in the third trimester of pregnancy may have frequentvivid dreams and nightmares.
One study compared 57 pregnant females in the third trimester to 59 non-pregnant females.
There was no difference in how often subjects in each group could recall dreams.
The pregnant subjects also reported poorer sleep quality.
Severe psychological stress is more common, as well.
People who are in withdrawal or who have become sober may dream about using the substance again.
In people with bipolar disorder, nightmares can signal that a manic or depressive episode is about to begin.
Some people report a cluster of nightmares one or more years before the onset of bipolar disorder.
People with PTSD or C-PTSD may relive traumatic events in their dreams.
These are known as intrusive dreams.
They can often result in insomnia, especially if you develop a fear of falling asleep.
Intrusive dreams can make it hard to cope with past trauma.
If you are struggling with frequent intrusive dreams, consider reaching out to apsychotherapist.
Physical Illness
The relationship between sleep and immunity is well known.
While you sleep, yourimmune systemworks to repair tissues and combat illness.
You need consistent, quality sleep to stay healthy.
Several studies show that people with certain medical conditions are more likely to have nightmares and vivid dreams.
In one, researchers looked at 1,233 people with cardiovascular (CV) disease.
People with cancer are more prone to nightmares and insomnia as a result of the distress their illness causes.
Consequences
Vivid dreams cause consequences when they interfere with your sleep.
The underlying cause of your vivid dreams may also cause symptoms.
Start by adjusting your bedtime habits and schedule.
Once the cause is found, you’re more likely to stop having disruptive dreams.
Summary
Sleep quality affects your physical and mental health.
A Word From Verywell
Dwelling on your dreams can distract you from your day and cause distress.
You may find it helpful to keep a dream journal.
Use it to track how your waking emotions express themselves in your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it’s normal to have vivid dreams just now and then.
Fever dreams are bizarre and often intense dreams that you may have when sick with a fever.
They’re often negative and may be nightmares.
Fever dreams typically occur during REM sleep.
You may talk or thrash in your sleep or even appear to be hallucinating.
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