Episode 14: Dreams, Nightmares, and the Science of Sleep: What Your Brain’s Up to While You Snooze

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Chapter 3: Consciousness
Dreams, Nightmares, and the Science of Sleep: What Your Brain’s Up to While You Snooze

We spend about one-third of our lives asleep — but what exactly is happening in the brain during all those hours of shut-eye? In this episode of Psychology for Students, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of sleep and dreams.

Join Professor Jeff Hastings and teaching assistant Angela as they explore the science behind why we sleep, what’s going on in the brain during different sleep stages, and why your dreams might be doing more emotional and mental work than you realize.

From Freud’s early theories about hidden desires to modern research on memory consolidation and emotional regulation, this episode breaks down what we know — and don’t know — about dreams, nightmares, and brain activity at night. We’ll also tackle some of the most common myths about dreaming, discuss the strange and sometimes terrifying experience of sleep paralysis, and even cover rare cases like violent sleepwalking.

Most importantly, we’ll focus on how understanding your dreams can support your mental health. Learn practical strategies like dream journaling and dream rescripting to help turn unsettling dreams into powerful tools for self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth.

Whether your dreams leave you curious, confused, or a little spooked — this episode will give you the science (and the stories) behind what’s really going on while you snooze.

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