9 Common Dream Myths Debunked: Fact Vs. Fiction

You have probably heard it before, “lucid dreaming is dangerous”, “sleep paralysis is caused by ghosts”, etc. But how much of what we believe about dreams is actually true? Dreams have fascinated humans for centuries. To this day, even science does not have answers to many questions about dreams. This has given rise to myths that have been passed down through generations, trying to explain the mysteries of the dream world.

We are going to separate fact from fiction in this article by debunking 9 of the most common dream myths. Do animals dream? Is sleep paralysis spiritual? We’ll discuss what science and real experiences reveal about these and more beliefs.

Myth 1: Dreams Occur Only During REM Sleep

For a long time, it was believed that dreaming only occurs in REM sleep. At some point, dreaming and REM sleep were almost synonymous, so much so that many studies seeking to understand dreaming were focusing only on REM sleep and not even dreaming itself.

Most dreams indeed occur during REM sleep. But science shows that we also dream during non-REM sleep. According to one study, dreaming and REM sleep are not even controlled by the same brain mechanisms. The reason why REM is associated with dreaming is mainly because REM dreams are more vivid and easier to remember.

Fact: Dreaming occurs throughout the night in different sleep stages.

Myth 2: Only Certain People Dream

It is not uncommon to hear some people claim that they do not dream at all. This might lead to the belief that dreaming is something that only a portion of the population experiences.

The truth is that pretty much everyone dreams every single night. The reason many people think they don’t dream is because they don’t recall their dreams when they wake up. A study was conducted to uncover whether it is true that non-dreamers don’t produce dreams at all. The conclusion was that non-dreamers do dream, they just don’t recall.

You can improve your dream recall by keeping a dream journal and setting the intention to remember your dreams.

Fact: Everyone dreams, some people just don’t recall their dreams.

Myth 3: Animals Don’t Dream

There is a popular assumption that animals don’t dream. Unlike humans, animals cannot report what happens in their dreams and so most people just assume they don’t experience dreaming.

Scientific studies on different animals, including cats, dogs, and even spiders, show that animals dream. Cats, for instance, have a brainstem structure that regulates REM sleep and causes partial paralysis. Animals get complex dreams, just like humans. Some studies suggest that their dreams may also include memories of past experiences!

Fact: Animals dream too.

Myth 4: Eating Certain Foods Before Bed Causes Nightmares

This belief mainly comes from personal stories where people blame certain foods for giving them strange dreams. There are also cultural beliefs that have been believed for ages. Some people, for instance, believe that eating cheese before bed causes nightmares.

There is no strong scientific evidence linking specific foods to nightmares. However, eating heavy meals or meals that might cause sleep disturbances can lead to restlessness. This might make dreams feel more intense.

Fact: There is no clear scientific evidence that certain foods directly cause nightmares.  

Myth 5: Lucid Dreaming Is Dangerous

A lot of the negative beliefs about lucid dreaming come from valid concerns mixed up with misconceptions and lack of understanding. Some people believe it is harmful, others are concerned about sleep disruption, while a few fear that you can “get stuck” in a dream.

Lucid dreaming is mostly harmless and even has many compelling benefits. It can help reduce nightmares and improve real-life skills. It can also be a powerful tool for creativity and problem solving. Some lucid dreaming techniques can disrupt sleep. But you can use alternative techniques, practice sleep hygiene, and still enjoy the fun that comes with being aware in your dreams.

In fact, many of the world's leading minds use lucid dreaming for their conceptual breakthroughs.

Fact: Lucid dreaming is generally safe.

Myth 6: Sleep Paralysis Is Caused By a Supernatural Entity

Sleep paralysis is a terrifying experience for many people because you are awake but unable to move. Many visual portrayals of sleep paralysis show demonic creatures or shadowy creatures sitting on people’s chests during sleep. For many people, the experience also involves hallucinations, which can be incredibly intense and realistic.

In reality, sleep paralysis is a natural sleep phenomenon that happens when the body temporarily remains in a paralyzed sleep state while the mind wakes up. Your brain paralyzes your muscles while in REM to prevent you from acting out your dreams. So as you enter or exit REM your mind might be awake, making you aware that you can’t move.

Fact: Sleep paralysis is natural and not demonic or caused by a supernatural entity.

Myth 7: Everyone Dreams in Color

Many people assume that everyone dreams in color because that is how we see the world. Older generations, however, often reported dreaming in black and white.

Some studies suggest that people who grew up watching black-and-white TV are more likely to report greyscale dreams. Dreams can be influenced by our daily experiences and, for some, that means dreaming in shades of grey.

Fact: Not everyone dreams in color. Some people dream in black and white.

Myth 8: Dreams Have Universal Meanings

In many cases, when someone has had a puzzling dream, they run to the internet or a dream dictionary to try and figure out what it means. Dream dictionaries have made people believe that certain symbols always mean the same thing.

But dream interpretation, like the dreaming experience itself, is highly personal. For one person, death in a dream might symbolize an actual death while for another person it might symbolize a new beginning. Instead of relying on fixed meanings, consider how a dream relates to your personal life and experiences. You can keep a dream journal and monitor recurring themes.

We're aware of "dream interpretation apps" in the App Store, and wish to point out that only the dreamer can work out what their dreams mean in the context of their lives.

Fact: Dream interpretations are personal and subjective.

Myth 9: You Cannot Control Your Dreams

For a lot of people, dreams are purely passive experiences and you don’t get to control what happens.

However, it is possible to control your dreams. With lucid dreaming, you learn how to become aware in your dreams. As you become better at it, you can learn to control your dream environment and content.

Fact: You can control your dreams while lucid dreaming.

Wrapping Up

Dreams have long been a source of mystery. Many myths across different cultures try to make sense of the dream world. While some of these myths have a little bit of truth in them, others are based on cultural beliefs, outdated science, and plain misconceptions.

Although a lot of research is still needed, we know more than our ancestors (well, not all of them). We have a slightly deeper understanding of dreams and can separate fact from fiction.