Dreaming: The Defining Experience of REM Sleep

Within the larger context of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, dreaming stands out as one of its most recognizable and defining characteristics. It is during this stage that the brain produces vivid narratives, often nonsensical yet deeply tied to our emotional and memory-processing systems.

The discovery of REM sleep in 1952 by Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky was a turning point in sleep science. Their observation that brainwaves during REM resembled those of wakefulness, combined with rapid eye movements, confirmed that this stage was when dreaming occurs. This directly challenged the long-standing belief that the brain was largely inactive while we slept.

Dreaming is not random. Once the REM stage begins, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for rational thought—shuts down, which explains why so many dreams seem bizarre or illogical. Meanwhile, the amygdala and cingulate cortex surge with activity, sometimes 30 percent higher than in wakefulness. This heightened emotional engagement suggests that dreams may help us process complex feelings or even recover from painful experiences. Far from being idle, the dreaming brain is intensely active, weaving together memory, emotion, and imagination.

During REM sleep, the brain stem plays another crucial role: it paralyzes the body’s muscles to ensure dreams are not physically acted out. This safeguard is essential, as the absence of it can result in sleep behavior disorders, where individuals may act out their dreams, sometimes with dangerous consequences. In this sense, the body’s stillness is just as important as the mind’s activity during REM.

Dreams are also shaped by culture, lifestyle, and biology. In the late 1940s, for instance, most Americans reported dreaming in black and white—likely influenced by black-and-white television. Today, vivid color dreams are the norm. Research also suggests that night owls tend to report more severe and vivid nightmares compared to morning larks. As Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, has described, dreams can even feel like “a form of psychosis,” reflecting their surreal and often chaotic nature.

Supporting the REM cycle—and, by extension, the dreaming mind—requires not only consistency in sleep routines but also the right sleep environment. A cool, dark room sets the stage, but your bedding can make or break the quality of your rest. Because you spend nearly a third of your life asleep, your sheets are the single most important fabric you’ll ever wear. Our bamboo sheets are designed with thermoregulation in mind: naturally breathable, silky to the touch, and eco-friendly in production. They help keep your body at an ideal sleep temperature so your brain can remain undisturbed, diving deeply into the dreaming stage where memories and emotions are restored.

Dreaming may feel like a strange nightly theater, but it is one of the brain’s most important performances. By cultivating an environment that supports REM sleep, you allow your dreams to serve their purpose: healing, processing, and preparing you for the waking world.