Dagny Alexandra Horton

Justice Morath
Psychology M/W/F 11:00-11:50
March 7, 2015

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Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This

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Why do humans dream? Is it a way we emotionally internalize past events from our
everyday lives or are dreams random configurations of thoughts that really dont go beyond or
deeper than our brain simply coming up with different story lines and events. Recorded research
began with Artemidorus Daldianus was a dream doctor in the second century A.D. believing
dreams were constructions of the individuals human mind. After much societal agreement and
contempt, slight contradictions started forming during Freuds research especially with the
publication of The Interpretation Of Dreams. Stating that during sleep ones hidden desires are
produced, though Freud had many believable interpretations on what happened during ones
sleep cycle he lacked the tool to be able to do more research to support his hypothesis.
It was not until the 1950s that a solid foundation of evidence was produced from
Chicago University, exploring more in depth the exact happenings of REM sleep. One of the
main components that was observed was REM (rapid eye movement) thanks to EEG technology
scientists were able to observe REM lasted on average about four to six hours, during so brain
activity was so high, neurons fire as much as when said people were awake. REM neurons using
PYSCHOLOGY M/W/F 11:00-11:50

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neurotransmitters (a messenger chemical) to trigger arousal and sensitivity in humans, this cycle
lasting for approximately 50 minutes and cycling every 90 minutes. Two very important
scientists involved in REM sleep science were Hobson and Mccarley both scientists stated that
dreams were a vain attempt of the brain the make sense of impressions during consciousness.
Throughout their studies many disagreements arose from the publics eye, in December 1977 an
issue of American Journal of Psychiatry was issued, where Hobson and Mccarley stated that they
invented fire when light may have been more useful.
Sometimes it takes stretching our beliefs to convey and discover through science the truth
and potential behind the human brain. After and plethora of studies and observations Hobson and
Mccarley discovered that NON-REM dreaming were very short constructions of facts and logic
while complete REM dreaming was a very visceral, emotional, visual and detailed experience,
these observations entailed that our dreams are not consequential to certain and exact sleep
phases. Studies showed that the hippocampus region in the brain was extremely active and key to
creating memories. For example while a student might be studying for a test the memorization
required will be stored better the following day if said students REM sleep was undisturbed.
Though research has come very far there is still much further for scientists to go when it comes
to dream analysis, for even though many observations can be made from different parts of the
brain using EEG technology, the question of Why, is still very much at hand. Are dreams a
reflection of our past and use as a self cleansing program, or rather have no connection to
humans emotional minds?

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