# Why do I dream? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 10, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995 "2005-12-10T03:24:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/1 "2005-12-10T03:24:52Z")
I know almost nothing about psychology and the brain. I’ve worked a lot the past few weeks and I’ve been very tired. I tend to fall asleep early. Yet, I have the most vivid dreams. In fact, I haven’t had such dreams in many years. Has there ever been a reason determined for dreams? ---
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/2 "2005-12-10T05:01:54Z")
no one really knows for sure why we dream, some tell me that it is to aid sleep, your brain just naturally entertaining itself, heres an interesting link from this garfield lady at the discovery channel [Why the heck do I dream?](http://health.discovery.com/centers/sleepdreams/experts/garfield.html) im sure there are physiological explanations, stuff to do with REM and such, of which i am interested of also, but you may need to be a little more detailed with your question to get at that ---
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/3 "2005-12-10T05:09:43Z")
by the way, i have noticed that the harder i work throughout the day, and the more tired i am in the evening, the more vivid my dreams become, that’s gotta mean something ---
**Author:** ![lonesome\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@lonesome\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonesome_loser)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/4 "2005-12-10T05:20:46Z")
> [@MessyPaint](#): > > by the way, i have noticed that the harder i work throughout the day, and the more tired i am in the evening, the more vivid my dreams become, > > that’s gotta mean something If it means something why aren’t they retained? ---
**Author:** ![MessyPaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@MessyPaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MessyPaint)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/5 "2005-12-10T05:48:43Z")
> [@lonesome loser](#): > > If it means something why aren’t they retained? im not really sure what you’re asking me… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/6 "2005-12-10T06:08:14Z")
Actually, many doctors believe that have dreaming pretty much figured out. There was a lengthy article about it in SciAm some time ago. If I remember correctly, the consensus is that it is the brains method of processing and cementing memories and skills learned during the day. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-dream/334995/7 "2005-12-10T09:45:40Z")
> [@lonesome loser](#): > > If it means something why aren’t they retained? I think it is the act of dreaming that is useful, not being able to remember what they are.