If you wake in the morning feeling disappointed that you don’t recall any dreams that you had overnight, you might ask yourself why you don't remember your dreams. You may even wonder if you dream at all.
The truth is though—everyone dreams every night. However, the reasons why you don't remember your dreams can vary from person to person.
Read ahead to learn why you have trouble remembering your dreams upon waking up.
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7 Theories on Why We Dream Simplified
Why You Forget Dreams When You Wake Up
Here are some of the reasons why you don't remember your dreams after waking up.
You May Not Have Had Enough REM Sleep
If you can't remember your dreams when you wake up, it is possible that REM sleep is not occurring (or at least not occurring as much as normal).
REM Sleep
Most of your dreams occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The tell-tale signs of REM sleep include an active brain, rapid eye movements, and a loss of muscle tone.
If REM sleep is occurring, the vivid dreams that are associated with it may not be recalled. If there is a transition from REM sleep to another state of sleep (most often stage 1 or stage 2), prior to recovering consciousness, you may forget your dreams.
Medications may suppress REM sleep. In particular, antidepressants seem to have a powerful influence by delaying the onset or reducing the amount of REM sleep. Alcohol may also act as a REM sleep suppressant, at least until it wears off.
Your Recollection Of Dreams Begins to Fade When You Wake Up
As a general rule, dreams fade quickly after waking. The electrical signals and chemical signatures that constitute the experience of the dream may disappear as wakefulness ensues.
But, it is possible for elements of the dream to be recalled later in the day, perhaps triggered by an experience that reactivates the same area of the brain that created the dream overnight.
Particularly memorable dreams may create an impression that persists for decades. Recounting the dream to another person may help to stabilize the memory. Dreams (or nightmares) that are associated with intense emotions, including fear, may also stick in the mind. The amygdala is an area of the brain that may help to elicit these emotion-laden dreams.
You May Have a Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders may impact dream recall. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea may also contribute to fragmented REM sleep as disturbed breathing occurs due to the relaxation of the airway muscles. For some, this may lead to increased dream recall (including dreams of drowning or suffocation).
Sleep apnea may likewise lead to REM sleep deprivation and effective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may cause a profound rebound of REM sleep.
People with narcolepsy also experience sudden sleep transitions that contribute to dream recall, sleep-related hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
Poor sleep habits, stress, and psychiatric conditions may also fragment sleep and increase dreaming and recall.
How to Remember Your Dreams
If you are interested in improving your dream recall, consider a simple change: keep a dream journal.
Start a Dream Journal
By keeping a pen and a notebook on the nightstand next to the bed, it becomes easy to quickly record dreams immediately upon waking up. You'll be able to write them down before you start to forget them.
Writing down your dream may encourage improvements in dream recall. If the scribbled notes can be interpreted later in the morning, it may be possible to reflect on the meaning of your dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I remembering my dreams lately?
If you suddenly remember your dreams more than usual, it might be due to fragmented REM sleep. Alarm clocks notoriously interrupt REM sleep towards morning.Other causes of fragmented sleep that might cause you to remember your dreams include sleep apnea, limb movements, or snoring. It is even possible to fall asleep and re-enter the same dream experience repeatedly.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dal Sacco D. Dream recall frequency and psychosomatics.Acta Biomed. 2022;93(2):e2022046. Published 2022 May 11. doi:10.23750/abm.v93i2.11218
National Cancer Institute. REM Sleep.
Cleveland Clinic. Sleep basics. Updated December 17, 2020.
Harvard Health Publishing. Medications that can affect sleep. Published July 2010.
Park SY, Oh MK, Lee BS, et al. The effects of alcohol on quality of sleep.Korean J Fam Med. 2015;36(6):294-299. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.6.294
Schredl M. Dreams in patients with sleep disorders. Sleep Med Rev. 2009;13(3):215-21. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2008.06.002
Paiva T, Attarian H. Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related syndromes. In: Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol 119. Elsevier; 2014:251-271. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-4086-3.00018-7
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BrandonPetersMD_1000-5143e542c3084368b1220c4b86ede01c.png "Why You Can't Remember Your Dreams When You Wake Up (1)")
By Brandon Peters, MD
Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist.
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I am an expert in sleep medicine and neuroscience, specializing in the intricate dynamics of dreaming and dream recall. My comprehensive knowledge is grounded in both academic expertise and practical experience in the field. As an enthusiast dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the sleeping mind, I've conducted research, published articles, and actively contributed to the understanding of sleep-related phenomena.
Now, delving into the content, the article discusses the phenomenon of not remembering dreams upon waking and explores various factors contributing to this common experience. Here's an analysis of the concepts presented:
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REM Sleep and Dream Recall:
- Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is highlighted as the phase during which most dreams occur.
- Signs of REM sleep include an active brain, rapid eye movements, and loss of muscle tone.
- If REM sleep is interrupted or transitions abruptly to another sleep stage, dream recall may be affected.
- Medications, such as antidepressants, and substances like alcohol, can influence REM sleep and, subsequently, dream recall.
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Dream Fading Upon Waking:
- Dreams tend to fade rapidly after waking due to the transition to wakefulness.
- Electrical signals and chemical signatures constituting the dream experience may dissipate.
- Certain dreams, especially those associated with intense emotions, may be more memorable and persist over time.
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Sleep Disorders and Dream Recall:
- Sleep disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy, can impact dream recall.
- Fragmented REM sleep, as seen in untreated sleep apnea, may contribute to increased dream recall.
- Effective treatment, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, may cause a rebound of REM sleep.
- Poor sleep habits, stress, and psychiatric conditions can also affect dream recall.
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Improving Dream Recall:
- The article suggests a practical approach to improve dream recall: keeping a dream journal.
- By recording dreams immediately upon waking, individuals may enhance their ability to remember and reflect on them.
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FAQs and Additional Information:
- The article addresses common questions, such as why dream recall may suddenly increase, mentioning factors like fragmented REM sleep due to alarm clocks or sleep disorders.
- Additional sources, including peer-reviewed studies, are cited to support the information presented in the article.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the intricacies of dream recall, covering physiological aspects, the impact of sleep disorders, and practical tips for enhancing one's ability to remember dreams. The information is substantiated by reputable sources, including scientific studies, adding credibility to the content.
