6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Vasu Singh (MTC lab) Problem Solving 2007

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Types of dreams Daydreams: A train of fanciful thoughts, not connected to the person’s immediate situation. Results in a blank stare often. Sleep dreams: Experience of sequence of sensations during sleep.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Sleep We sleep in cycles of 90 minutes (The cycle repeats 4-5 times a night). Each cycle has 5 phases. 1 phase of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and 4 of NREM. REM: Brain active, body inactive. Paradoxical sleep. Most of the dreams. Eyes flicker back and forth rapidly. NREM: Body active, brain inactive. Little dreaming. Limb movements. Sleep walking occurs in NREM sleep. For a good night sleep, both REM and NREM sleep are necessary.

Some interesting and common phenomena

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Sleep paralysis A condition of temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up from REM sleep. Remark: Body is inactive during REM sleep in order to prevent the body from manifesting movements made in the subject's dreams. This leaves the person fully aware, but unable to move. Often, dreamer believes she is still in her dream, as the dream gradually merges into the reality. The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli (1781)

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Hypnic jerk A sudden movement of the body just after one goes to sleep (sometimes with an impression of falling) A universal component of sleep onset process. Reason: Failure of the brain to discriminate the dream from reality.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 False awakening A dream that one has awakened from sleep, usually in the morning. A very convincing illusion, where one dreams of performing the morning rituals, like brushing teeth or having breakfast.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Now we find out… What are dreams? What do they mean and why do we dream? Still an open problem! Are dreams of any help to us?

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 What are dreams? An experience of a sequence of images, sounds, ideas, emotions, or other sensations Events often unlikely to occur in reality Outside the control of the dreamer In a typical lifespan, a human spends six years dreaming (2 hours per night) The Dream by Puvis de Chavannes (1883)

What do dreams mean?

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Early views on dreams Ancient Egyptians: Messages from Gods. Chinese: Soul produces the dreams. Indians: Dreams are expressions of inner desire. Also, people believed in the Chinese view. Greeks: Dreams are Gods’ visits to the dreamers. Later, Aristotle put an end to idea of divine dreams. He proposed they are caused by daily activities. Mix of these views prevailed till 20 th century.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Around 1900: Freud and Jung Sigmund Freud: THE father of modern dream analysis and psychoanalysis. Belief: Dreams discharge repressed impulses. Criticism: Too much analysis! Carl Jung: Dreams are not just about repressed feelings. Can be creative too.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Since 1950: The physiological view Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis (Hobson and McCarley): Dreams caused by periodic trigger in brain stem. The activated forebrain creates the dream out of the internally generated information, trying its best to make sense out of the nonsense it is being presented with. Criticism: Overextension of the work to propose dreams are meaningless! Huge controversy on the hypothesis. Provoked more letters to the editor of the journal than ever received before.

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Dreaming to forget? Think of it as garbage collection! Nobel Laureate Francis Crick (1983): Dreams remove certain undesirable modes of interaction in networks of cells in the brain. A reverse learning mechanism. Criticism: Discourages remembering dreams, because such remembering may help to retain patterns of thought which are better forgotten.

So, why do we dream/ have REM sleep?

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 From the point of evolution… Premises: o Reptiles do not have REM sleep, mammals do. o Brain uses much more energy in REM, rather than in being awake or NREM sleep. Moreover, body is paralyzed making dreamer vulnerable! o Amount of REM sleep decreases with age. Conclusion: o REM sleep may play an important role in the development of the infant brain. o Provides an internal source of intense stimulation which would facilitate the maturation of the infant's nervous system.

Do dreams help us?

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Dreams/REM sleep help in learning and memory Evidence 1: Learning tasks that require significant concentration is followed by increased REM sleep Evidence 2: REM sleep deprivation inhibits complex learning REM sleep helps cope with traumatic experiences and emotional adjustment Helps information processing and also problem solving!

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Creativity in dreams Otto Loewi dreamed of an experiment that proved that transmission of nerve impulses was chemical, not electrical. This dream led to a Nobel prize. Elias Howe (one of several independent inventors of the sewing machine) invented the needle with the eye at the tip. In a dream, Howe found himself in Africa, being chased by cannibals with spears with a hole near the head. Tune for famous Beatles song ‘Yesterday’ came to Paul McCartney in a dream.

Dream industry

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Commercialization Dream dictionary: Find out what dreams tell you about your life, your job, your everything! Dream pills : Don't waste time in useless dreaming! Use it for creative inspiration, lucid dreaming, personal growth, pleasure, success, improved memory and more!

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Commercialization (contd) Dream interpretation services Increase dream recall Develop dream intuition

6/4/2015Problem Solving 2007 Conclusion Dreams occur to everyone (atleast all mammals) Though why they occur is a puzzle, they might help solve some other puzzles in life Recalling dreams and interpreting them is always fun! Suggestion: Do not compromise sleep for work! Sleep over your decisions and research.