Have you ever had one of those experiences when you are pleasantly on the verge of falling into a deep state of sleep only to find that you feel like you are falling? The sensation of falling feels so vivid to you that you are startled into a waking state, only to discover that you are still safely nestled in your bed. This type of dream happens to a lot of dreamers and there are a number of cited causes as well as meanings associated with falling dreams.
The Reason Why We Have Falling Dreams
There is no definitive answer for why people experience dreams about falling. Some of the prominent reasons for experiencing falling dreams are cited as:
*Anxiety Related
*Stress Related
*Dream Incorporation and Myoclonic Jerks
*Inner Ear Problems
*Live Events that are Seemingly Unstable
*Natural Blood Pressure Fluctuations
*Psychological Fears and Insecurities
*Unexpressed Disappointment
Falling dreams may be stress or anxiety related; if the dreamer in waking life feels overly anxious or stressed, he or she may feel out of control in various situations. The feeling of lost control is then being translated in the dream state into images of falling since when an individual falls he or she has very little control over what is going on. Stress and anxiety may not be the only factors that cause the “waking to sleep” image and sensation translation either; if a dream is holding onto psychological fears and insecurities; again he or she may have more dreams with a falling theme.
Dreams of falling are also believed to be the product of dream incorporation and myoclonic jerks. As an individual begins to transcend into a sleep state the body may begin to jerk or twitch; this is also known as a hypnagogic jerk or a hypnic jerk. The reasons for such an occurrence are not known at this time but it is believed that the dreamer incorporates these hynogogic jerks into his or her dreams which then translate as falling dreams or as the sudden “startled awakening” that follows. It is sometimes argued that falling dreams are produced when the dreamer’s head slides off his or her pillow, and sometimes falling dreams are actually incorporating the physical act of falling out of bed.
The Meaning of Falling Dreams
Sometimes falling dreams are merely dream incorporation where the dreamer’s mind naturally incorporates natural, external environmental factors into his or her dream. It is theorized that this is an automatic process which takes place so that the dreamer’s sleep goes undisturbed by external stimuli. Symbolically however, falling dreams are most commonly expressions of anxiety and the sense that something is out of the control of the dreamer.
Falling dreams can come to mean that one fears falling from an elevated position, from falling out of favor, or from falling away from good graces. Falling dreams can also suggest that the dreamer feels insubstantial, insecure, or that he or she does not feel completely comfortable with certain life situations. Finally, falling dreams can also be premonitory in nature; if so, it is highly recommended that the dreamer keep an eye on his or her footing!
Dayna Winters is a professional editor, writer, dream consultant/interpreter, and the creator of DreamMaster. You can learn more about dreams and order an in-depth dream interpretation at:
http://dream-interpreter.webs.com/index.htm.
Many people throughout the course of their lives will question what dreams are and why we dream. Birds and a variety of different mammals also experience dreams as well. Researchers have estimated that the average individual will spend up to six years in dream state. While everyone understands that dreams are a series of audible, visual, and perceptible experiences that occur during sleep, the question still remains as to why people, birds, and animals dream at all.
Researchers specializing in the field of oneirology are vigorously studying dreams in search of a reason for their occurrence. Through the use of an electroencephalogram researchers have discovered that when an individual is dreaming the brain behaviors are much like when the individual is awake. Dreams occur when the dreamer enters into a state of REM sleep, also known as rapid eye movement sleep or paradoxical sleep. The connection between dreaming and REM sleep was identified roughly five and a half decades ago by Eugene Aserinsky. Aserinsky, a University of Chicago graduate, conducted research involving the observation of rapid eye fluttering during sleep as well as brain activity during such movement which has led him to be identified as one of the founders of modern sleep studies and research.
While dreams can be loosely defined, the reasons why we dream remain unidentified. Despite what is known about dreaming, in truth, we know very little. There have been numerous theories proposed as to why people dream. Sigmund Freud set forth the psychoanalytic Theory of Dreams where he proposed that people dream of unconscious wants and desires and/or motivations. According to Freud these unconscious thought processes work their way into one’s dreams at night as a form of release and therefore dreams could be analyzed for therapeutic purposes. Freud further argued that dreams consist of two main components: latent and manifest content. Latent content in dreams relates to the underlying meaning of a dream while the manifest content refers to the visual, audible, and tactile sensations and thoughts that the dreamer experiences.
In the late 1970s, Robert McClarley and J. Allen Hobson proposed the activation-synthesis model of dreaming: a theory which argues that during the REM sleep phase the brain is activated and the hippocampus and the amygdala are directly affected. The brain then, in turn, attempts to understand the reasoning for the signals it is receiving and this is translated into dreams. This theory suggests that the brain is doing no more than attempting to interpret signals.
Other theories include the notion that the brain works like a giant computer and that dreaming is merely an act of the brain cleaning away unnecessary stored material accumulated by the dreamer while he or she is awake. Still other theories assert the idea understood as dream incorporation where the dreamer weaves in external stimuli from the environment into his or her dreams at night.
Did you know that there have been studies conducted on nightmares and the frequency of their occurrence which actually reveal that nearly one third of the adult population deals with nightmares at some point in their lives? Other studies suggest even higher amounts of individuals that have nightmares and will suggest that 75 percent of all adults experience nightmares. While studies are frequently conducted on dreams, dream states, and nightmares however, a single cause has yet to be identified for the occurrence of nightmares.
Dietary Changes: One of the commonly cited reasons for the onset of nightmares has much to do with one’s diet. Often times, consuming late night foods can bring on disturbing dreams during sleep. Some experts assert that late night eating causes nightmares, while others debate this assertion. It is better to be safe than sorry and to avoid late night eating and/or binging. Regardless of whether or not late night eating causes nightmares, it is still an unhealthy practice to engage in.
Dream Incorporation: Sometimes a dreamer will incorporate stimuli from the external environment into one’s dream. For instance, if a dreamer falls asleep with the television on and a horror movie is playing on the screen, elements from the dream may incorporate into the dream and play out in the dreamer’s mind. Dream incorporation can also occur from stimuli encountered just prior to going to sleep as well. Thus, to minimize the amount of nightmares one experiences, it is recommended that the individual monitor the environmental factors that may affect dreams just prior to going to sleep.
Illness/Fever: Many people who experience illness and fever also experience nightmares. As the body works overtime to heal itself, a fever may cause the mind to stir up strange and disturbing visions. If a dream is brought about by illness, the dream may not have any special message for the dreamer or any meaning which can be used for the purposes of life transformation and change.
Life Stressors: Dreams are often affected by what goes on in a dreamer’s mundane life. If the dreamer is significantly stressed, mundane problems may play out in the dreamer’s mind has he or she sleeps; this is the subconscious mind’s way of attempting to work out or remedy perplexing issues which plague the dreamer. A dream interpretation in such instances can allow the dreamer to derive meaning from dreams and to use them to implement changes and to improve his or her mundane existence.
Medications: There are a number of different medications which can alter the body chemistry and cause the dreamer to experience nightmares. The sudden introduction of medication or the cessation of use might trigger the mind to deliver nightmares during dreamtime. Some of the medications that may or may not induce nightmares include alpha agonists, antidepressants, Anti-Parkinsonian medications, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, anti-hypertensives, ethanol, Flutamide, Ketalar, Larodopa, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, Procarbazine, Rauwolfia alkaloids, some serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and Selegiline. Illicit drugs can also cause adverse reactions to occur and affect one’s dream state as well. If a dreamer is prescribed a specific medication which is associated with nightmares and the dreamer deals with nightmare onset, he or she should speak with a physician before starting or ceasing any medication. The information offered here is for information only and is in no way to be received as medical advice. It is highly recommended that the individual suffering from nightmares converse with his or her selected doctor to talk about alternatives and that the individual take no action until otherwise advised by a trained professional in such matters.
Paranormal Events: It is common for an individual experiencing unexplained or paranormal activity and events to report the onset of nightmares. This can be due to accumulative anxiety, to confusion about occurrences, and to fear in relation to the unexplained events that are occurring. Some theories further suggest that nightmares may be caused by negative entities or energies. To this date, the increase in nightmares in relation to paranormal events remains without a definitive explanation.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: When a person experiences severe trauma that trauma may replay in one’s dreams over and over again. The services of a qualified professional will need to be sought to resolve issues with nightmares related to post traumatic stress.
Psychological Disorders: An array of psychological disorders may be responsible for certain recurring dreams and nightmares. Again it is advised that the individual seek out the services of a qualified professional to address the issue.
