Why do we dream? New research sheds light on its brain-protective function and how we can leverage it for personal and professional growth.

Dreams have captivated humanity for centuries, with ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece considering them as divine messages.

Why do we dream, and do dreams hold any meaning? Let's delve into the first question today.

Whenever we acquire new knowledge, master a skill, or adjust our habits, the physical structure of our brains undergoes change.

Neurons, responsible for rapid information processing, form intricate connections that continually strengthen, weaken and seek new alliances, much like friendships in a community.

Referred to as "brain plasticity" in neuroscience, think of it as the live wiring of 86 billion neurons and 2000 trillion connections, continuously rewiring themselves throughout our lives.

Recent research has uncovered a fascinating aspect of brain plasticity: its rapidity. Notably, brain circuits reorganize not only in individuals with newly acquired blindness but also in the sighted who experience temporary visual impairment. During this time, the visual cortex adapts to heighten other senses like smell and sound.

So, how does brain flexibility relate to dreaming?

Emerging findings suggest that the visual cortex, responsible for vision processing, remains incredibly active during dreaming. Why is that?

In the perpetual competition for brain territory, the visual system faces a unique challenge: the planet's rotation plunges all creatures into darkness for roughly half of every day. While our modern world mitigates this effect, it has remained true for the majority of evolutionary history. Dreaming helps preserve the visual cortex's territory.

Dream manifesting as visual experience ensures that neurons in the visual cortex stay active, preventing other senses from encroaching upon its domain.

Supporting this hypothesis, elephants, with exceptional night vision, do not exhibit significant dreaming patterns, as they sleep for only a couple of hours each night.

What can we learn from this?

Use it or lose it:

Strive for balance in all aspects of life. Allocate time for unwinding and de-stressing, as neglecting relaxation can hinder brain health, ultimately affecting our physical well-being.

Recognize the intrinsic link between mental and physical health.

Both mental and physical health benefit from daily exercise. Elderly individuals who engage in daily new language learning or solve crosswords experience delayed cognitive decline. Similarly, regular exercise helps prevent muscle loss.

Note:
1. This post is based on research by David Eagleman (Neuroscientist at Stanford University) and Don Vaughn (Neuroscientist at UCLA)

2. Join my learning journey, learn and laugh every day.

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