Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

It has been scientifically documented that when we normally fall sleep, we go through five sleep stages. Stage One – This is a very light sleep from which we may easily wake up. Stage Two – This is when the brain moves to a slightly deeper sleep. Stage Three – We now moving to a deeper sleep state and our brain activity gradually slows down. Stage Four – We are truly in a state of deep sleep and now have nothing but the slowest brain waves, known as delta brain waves. Stage Five – About 90 minutes after we go to sleep, we enter the final stage of sleep. Our final stage of sleep is known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Our dreams most often occur during this REM sleep. This is why people are more likely to remember their dream if they are awakened during this REM phase of our deep sleep.

Dreams have been the subject of philosophical and religious interest and study throughout recorded history. Scientists have been studying dreams for many years and still, it is not totally understood the purpose of our dreams, or why and how we dream. Scientists also believe that many other non-human species, including mammals, as well as birds, also have dreams.

As you know, we all have dreams and sometimes we wake up and have a detailed and clear memory of what we were dreaming about. At other times, we wake up and realize we were dreaming about something vivid last night, but we just can’t remember what it was. We also know that our pets also have dreams. For example, I am sure that many of us have witnessed a dog growling or try to run while in a sleepy dream state. Dreams are generally defined as a collection of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur involuntarily in our mind. They are believed to primarily occur during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of deep sleep when our brain activity is at a high level. Again, REM sleep is revealed by continuous rapid eye movements during sleep. Studies show that nearly all our dreams take place while we are in this deepest stage of sleep. Dreams can last for a few seconds, or as long as twenty minutes. The average person has three to five dreams per night, but some may have as many as seven dreams in one night. The dreams tend to last longer as the night progresses. During an eight hour sleep, it is believed that about two hours of this eight hour sleep time is spent dreaming while we are in our deepest stage of sleep, also known as our REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep . The bottom line is that we still have a lot to learn about our dreams that we all have on a regular basis. Why do we dream and where our dreams originate in our brain is the subject of ongoing study. Sleep and dream research is continuing and scientific progress is continuing to be made in this fascinating area of study. Sleep well and have pleasant dreams, and yes, these are your Doctor’s Orders!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new Joke Book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine.” Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.