Why do we dream?
Dreams are often described as thrilling portals that can take us to places far apart, help us meet people we might not even know, and give experiences that, at times, may seem magical. Dreams are born of the electrical impulses in the brain, they are stories and images that the mind creates while we sleep. Dreams, although intangible, can have a lasting emotional impact making one feel happy, sad, or scared. The contents of a dream can range from perfectly rational happenings to completely unreal and illogical visualizations.
Our body continues to do many tasks even when we are asleep. During sleep, we cycle between REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, while the eyelids are shut, the eyes still move quickly in different directions. These eye movements do not occur during non-REM sleep. Dreams typically happen during the REM phase of sleep. According to experts, we dream at least four to six times while we sleep.
There are many theories about why we dream; however, the exact reason for having dreams remains unclear. While certain dreams may help our brains process the events and thoughts of the day, others may simply be the result of normal brain activity and mean very little. Some experts suggest that dreams do not have a meaning or purpose, while some researchers suggest that dreams are important for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Several studies suggest that dreams may help:
Does dreaming of losing teeth mean death?
According to the scientific studies done so far, none of the dreams have been proven as predictors of future happenings in real life. Dreams arise due to brain electrical activities and have no role whatsoever in predicting death or anything else in your life. Researchers propose that dreams of teeth falling out mean
- Low self-confidence: Some experts say that teeth are a symbol of power and strength. So, losing teeth may be a sign of an inner feeling of being powerless or weak, this can further be interpreted as a sign of lack of confidence in a person.
- Being conscious of or disliking one’s appearance or capability.
- Being scared about getting old.
- Being concerned about a close one's health.
- Having a dentist appointment scheduled.
- Having some dental conditions or pain.
- Having financial issues.
- Poor nutritional status.
- Expecting a major challenge or decision in life.
- Having trouble sharing one’s thoughts or emotions.
What do teeth symbolize in dreams?
Teeth may symbolize different things or emotions in a dream. They are:
- Verbalisation or expression
- Confidence
- Feeling of being empowered
- Sense of security
- Aggression
The actual interpretation is based upon the context of the dream. For example, biting may symbolize aggression or anger towards a situation or a person, losing teeth may be symbolic of some anxiety or stress issues, dental cavities may be a sign of an unpleasant argument, and rotting teeth may be a sign of neglected responsibilities.
Although many interpretations have been made about what teeth may be a sign of in dreams, no concrete scientific evidence in support of any of the interpretations exist so far.
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