Dreaming

I INTRODUCTION

Dreaming, form of mental activity, different from waking thought, that occurs during sleep. The nature of dream activity has been characterized by many clinical and laboratory studies. These studies show that dreams are more perceptual than conceptual: Things are seen and heard rather than thought. In terms of the senses, visual experience is present in almost all dreams; auditory experience in 40 to 50 percent; and touch, taste, smell, and pain in a relatively small percentage. A considerable amount of emotion is commonly present—usually a single, stark emotion such as fear, anger, or joy rather than the modulated emotions that occur in the waking state. Most dreams are in the form of interrupted stories, made up partly of memories, with frequent shifts of scene.

This broad characterization includes a great variety of dream experiences. Many dreams collected in sleep laboratories are rather ordinary, but most people have at least some bizarre dreams. At the start of the 20th century Sigmund Freud proposed that a mental process quite different from that used in the waking state dominates the dreaming mind. He described this "primary process" as characterized by more primitive mechanisms, by rapid shifts in energy and emotions, and by a good deal of sexual and aggressive content derived from childhood.

II BIOLOGY OF DREAMING  

Research in recent years has clarified many of these aspects of dreaming, but what may be of greatest significance has been the discovery of a biology of dreaming (see Sleep). Starting with the work of American sleep researchers Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman in 1953, studies have shown that a dream does not consist of fleeting imagery that occurs while a person awakens from sleep, but instead a dream takes place during a biological state of its own.

Thus, two clearly distinguishable states of sleep exist. The first state, called S-synchronized sleep, or NREM-sleep (non-rapid-eye-movement sleep), occupies most of the sleep period and is associated with a relatively low pulse and blood pressure, little activation of the autonomic nervous system, and few or no reports of dreaming. The second type of sleep, known as D-sleep (dreaming, or desynchronized, sleep), or REM-sleep (rapid-eye-movement sleep), occurs cyclically during the sleep period and is characterized by activation of the autonomic nervous system, rapid eye movements, and frequent dream reports. Typically, a person has four or five periods of D-sleep during the night, whether the dreams are remembered often, rarely, or not at all; they occur at intervals of about 90 minutes and altogether constitute about 25 percent of the night’s sleep (as much as 50 percent in a newborn child). Evidence indicates that a dream period usually lasts from 5 to 20 minutes.

Such stimuli as sounds and touches impinging on a dreamer can be incorporated into a dream if they occur during a D-period. These stimuli, however, do not initiate a D-period if one is not already in progress, so that, at least in such cases, dreams do not protect sleep in the way that Freud suggested. Although mental activity may be reported during NREM-sleep, these are usually short, fragmented, thoughtlike experiences.

III OTHER ANIMALS  

It is likely that other animals dream. Mammals, including dogs, cats, and monkeys, have D-sleep periods like those of humans. During D-sleep they also show intense activity in a region of the brain called the visual cortex. In humans this brain activity corresponds to visual sensations. One study observed monkeys that were trained to push a lever whenever they saw a picture on a screen. At different times during their sleep the monkeys suddenly began to push the lever as if responding to an observed image.

IV THE MEANING OF DREAMS

Ancient cultures believed that dreams were spiritual in origin, often foretelling the future. Aristotle believed that dreams originated from within the dreamer, arising from the heart. Modern dream research has focused on two general interpretations of dream content. In one view, dreams have no inherent meaning but are simply a process by which the brain integrates new information into memories. In the other view, dreams contain real meaning symbolized in a picture language that is distinct from conscious logical thought.

The recounting of dreams has been used widely as part of clinical treatment. If dreams express important wishes, fears, concerns, and worries of the dreamer, the study and analysis of dreams can help reveal previously unknown aspects of a person’s mental functioning.

Contributed By:
Ernest Louis Hartmann

© 1998-2008 by The Hormone Shop, LLC.

Norman@thehormoneshop.com
This page was last updated on 04/22/08

Web Masters: Check out our New Affiliate Program Paying up to 20% !!!

Please note that the sale of DHEA or Melatonin is not available, legally in Australia or any member nations of the
European Union (excluding the United Kingdom & Switzerland). Customers must  have a valid prescription in order to purchase
these products in Australia or any member nations of the European Union (excluding the United Kingdom & Switzerland)

Disclaimer: The Hormone Shop LLC assumes no liability, whether under a theory of contract, tort, negligence, product liability or otherwise. In no event shall The Hormone Shop LLC be liable for any direct or indirect, consequential, incidental, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or for any loss incurred due to results or comments that are reported or the use of collection materials that are supplied, or any prescriptions regardless of whether The Hormone Shop LLC knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages. Furthermore, in no event  shall The Hormone Shop LLC's total cumulative liability exceed The Hormone Shop LLC's net profit on any specific product, sample or  consultation giving rise to the liability.  The Hormone Shop LLC specifically assumes no liability incurred by any 3rd party associate and if you are reading this web site in a language other that English it has been machine translated by SYSTRAN who strives to achieve the highest possible accuracy, however no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators. Users should note that the quality of the source text significantly affects the translations and The Hormone Shop LLC assumes no liability for incorrect or misleading translations.  The questions and comments appearing in the "Discussion Group Forum" are strictly from unknown or unidentified sources and the reader/participant should be aware that credentials from any source are completely lacking and should be questioned.  The Hormone Shop LLC specifically assumes no liability for any comment or advice appearing in the "Discussion Forum".

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug
Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent
any disease. If pregnant or lactating, consult a physician before using.

Notice: This information on anti-aging products  is provided for educational and nutritional purposes. Any medical procedures, dietary changes or the use of dietary supplements discussed herein should only be undertaken on the advice of a qualified medical doctor. Although listed and sold as dietary supplements these are not innocuous, inert substances; rather they can and do affect vital systems within the human body and it is for this reason that you are urged to find a medical doctor who will work with you in monitoring and maintaining your well being.

A to Z Treasures of Yesterday

These sites are the design work of Norman Rose who can be reached at norman@thehormoneshop.com 

http://www.drugsfromindia.net 

http://www.drugsfromindia.net/fsh.htm

http://www.drugsfromindia.net/menshealth.htm   

http://www.ginkgo-inc.com 

http://www.kansascityrealestate.to

http://www.kc-real-estate.com

http://www.cybernetrealty.to

http://www.kansascitymls.biz 
 

Pregnenolone

Products & Info

Progesterone

DHEA

Products & Info

Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual Dysfunction-Women

Horny Goat Weed

Estro Gentle

Prostate

Leukemia

HGH Stimulators

HGH

5-HTP Update

Home Frame

Laboratory

Secretagogues

Pregnenolone

Progesterone

Progesterone+E

DHEA

5-HTP

5-HTP Library

5-HTP Update

Growth Hormones

Stimulators

Order Form

Book Store

Prostate Cancer

FTC Crack Down


hGH-PH Complex

Pharmacy