Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Donnah on 06/12/2015 10:58:31

Title: Why am I dreaming in cartoon mode?
Post by: Donnah on 06/12/2015 10:58:31

For about a month some of my dream "pictures" have been cartoons.  Why would this suddenly happen and does anyone else dream in cartoon?

Title: Re: Why am I dreaming in cartoon mode?
Post by: chris on 06/12/2015 13:00:23

Hi Donnah - lovely to see you!

I've never experienced this, or heard from someone else who has experienced this. One person from the US did write to us a few years ago to say that he'd be listening to the back catalogue of Naked Scientists podcasts (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts) at the rate of several episodes per day. He realised he'd probably over-done it when, as he said, "I started dreaming with an English accent!"

Dreams reflect underlying brain activity; their function is poorly understood as is their content and what is responsible for the content of dreams. Consistently, though, people do report certain classes of dreams under certain circumstances. Anxiety dreams, such as forgetting to turn up to an important appointment, are commonplace when people are under pressure. This shows that waking experiences can and do frequently influence dream content. So, have you been watching a lot of cartoons or looking at a lot of animations lately?

Title: Re: Why am I dreaming in cartoon mode?
Post by: Donnah on 08/12/2015 03:18:15

Thanks Chris,

No, I'm not a cartoon watcher, unless you count the recent political "performances" regarding the federal election. [:o)]

Title: Re: Why am I dreaming in cartoon mode?
Post by: Pixillated on 08/12/2015 07:02:09

My dream once ended in a roll of credits, mostly for the cast. The 'actors' were all people that I knew fairly well. But there were a few friends assigned to crew roles. The dream itself fell into one of my usual genres. I don't remember if I was going to the movies a lot at the time.  I've only had that happen one other time, but I cut it off once a realized what was happening.

Title: Re: Why am I dreaming in cartoon mode?
Post by: Donnah on 08/12/2015 23:23:16

Hi Pix,

That's interesting.  Do you write?  When you say it fell into one of your usual genres, do you mean movie genres that you watch, genres that you ascribe to your life, or genres that you write about?