The science

behind dreams
By: Farah Zureikat
Ms Haneen/Block A

1
 Table of contents

01 02 03
Introduction The sleep cycle Why REM sleep?

04 05
Dreaming in NREM Lucid dreams
sleep

2
01
Introduction

3
 Introduction to dreams

Welcome, everyone, to today's

presentation on the science behind dreams.
Dreams, those journeys of the mind that
occur during sleep, which have long
fascinated humanity.

4
Introduction to dreams

In this presentation, we'll venture into

the realm neuroscience, psychology,
chemistry and biology to explain the
mechanisms and significance of
dreaming.

5
The sleep cycle…

6
 The sleep cycle…

The sleep cycle consists of 4 stages,

which are divided into non-rapid eye
movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye
movement (REM) sleep.

7
Stage 1 - NREM sleep
This is the transition stage between
wakefulness and sleep. It is
characterized by light sleep, and it's
easy to be awakened during this
stage. Brain waves start to slow
down, and muscle activity
decreases. This stage typically lasts
for only a few minutes.

8
Stage 2 - NREM sleep
This is a deeper stage of sleep than
stage 1. Brain waves continue to
slow down, and periods of rapid
brain wave activity called sleep
spindles occur. Body temperature
decreases, and heart rate slows
down.

9
Stage 3 - NREM sleep

known as slow-wave sleep (SWS)

or deep sleep, this stage is
characterized by the presence of
slow brain waves known as delta
waves.

10
Stage 4 - REM sleep

REM sleep is characterized by rapid

eye movements, increased brain
activity, and muscle relaxation (except
for the muscles that control breathing
and eye movements).

11
Why exactly do we
dream in REM
sleep???

12
 1
Increased brain
activity

13
 2
Activation of the
Limbic system

14
Amygdala

15
Hippocampus

16
Hypothalamus

17
Prefrontal cortex

18
 3
Muscle atonia

19
 4
Rapid eye
movement

20
 5
Neurotransmitters

21
Acetylcholine

22
Serotonin

23
Dopamine

24
Gamma - aminobutyric acid
(GABA)

25
Can we only dream in REM
sleep??

26
NO
27
Lucid dreams

28
 Citations - websites
★ Some information is obtained from Miss Zain Tbaishat

Main article - Dawson, Drew, and Madeline Sprajcer. “The Science of Dreams and Nightmares – What Is Going on in Our Brains While We’re Sleeping?”

The Conversation, 8 Sept. 2023, theconversation.com/the-science-of-dreams-and-nightmares-what-is-going-on-in-our-brains-while-were-sleeping-210901.

Linden, Sander van der. “The Science behind Dreaming.” Scientific American, 26 July 2011, www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-behind-dreaming/.

Nichols, Hannah. “Dreams: Causes, Types, Meaning, What They Are, and More.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 28 June 2018,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284378.

Physiopedia. “Limbic System.” Physiopedia, 2020, www.physio-pedia.com/Limbic_System.

The University of Queensland. “The Limbic System.” Queensland Brain Institute, 10 Nov. 2017,

qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/limbic-system#:~:text=The%20limbic%20system%20is%20the.

“Understanding the Science behind Dreams and the Secrets of Sleep.” Www.linkedin.com,

www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-science-behind-dreams-secrets-sleep-paavanapp#:~:text=Some%20researchers%20believe%20that%20dreams.

Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

29
 Citations - images

Aliouche, Hidaya. “What Is Acetylcholine?” News-Medical.net, 20 Jan. 2020, www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Acetylcholine.aspx.

“Dopamine. Structural Chemical Formula and Model of Molecule Stock Vector - Illustration of Medical, Brain: 116422228.” Dreamstime,

www.dreamstime.com/dopamine-structural-chemical-formula-model-molecule-da-dihydroxyphenethylamine-organic-catecholamine-image1

16422228. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

Here’s What Lucid Dreamers Might Tell Us about Our Sleeping Minds. 27 Aug. 2023,

www.sciencenews.org/article/lucid-dream-sleep-mind-neuroscience-brain.

“Serotonin Molecule Vector Image on VectorStock.” VectorStock, www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/serotonin-molecule-vector-5080963.

Suni, Eric. “Stages of Sleep: What Happens in a Sleep Cycle.” Sleep Foundation, 2 Dec. 2021, www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep.

“What Is GABA?” News-Medical.net, 20 Jan. 2020, www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-GABA.aspx.

30
Citations - primary source

Christoph Türcke. Philosophy of

Dreams. New Haven, Yale

University Press, 2013.

31
 Citations - template

Slidesgo. “Free Google Slides Themes and Powerpoint Templates | Slidesgo.” Slidesgo.com,

2022, slidesgo.com.

32