WHAT ARE

DREAMS AND
HOW DO THEY
WORK?

INTRODUCTION
Presenter: Amanda Mercereau
Graduated from Duke in 2011
B.S. Biology, Minor in Psychology
3.8 GPA, Magna Cum Laude
Interned: Institute of Dream Studies SR. year
DreamSynergy Certification

BY THE END OF THIS

PRESENTATION
Audiences should be able to
Understand the basis of dream theory
Differentiate between theories and their progressions

through the years

Connect ideas
Better understand the hows and whys of their dreams
and/or nightmares

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

PART 1

Scientists have firmly developed dream

theory and have a complete understand

of what dreams are and how they work.

Photo Courtesy of http://

blog.parachutehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lucid-dr

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

PART 2

FALSE
Dream theories are constantly changing and developing as scientists
continue to discover more and more about dreams and how they work; there
is no consistent theory as to what dreams are, yet.

IN THE BEGINNING
Sigmund Freud
Preserve as much sleep
Carl Jung
Innermost thoughts

and desires

Sigmund Freud
Photo Courtesy of http://
content.ngv.vic.gov.au/co
l-images/api/EXHI015320/l
arge

Carl Jung
Photo Courtesy of http://
www.nndb.com/people/910/
000031817/carl-jung-1-si
zed.jpg

SO WHAT IS A DREAM?
Little activity in happening the

brain
Blocking out external sources
Body is shut down

Photo Courtesy of http://

support.stroke.org/page_images/images/Brain-An
imation_01.jpg

WHY DO DREAMS SEEM SO

REALISTIC?
Human emotions involved
Sight and sound
What we remember in the morning is a collection of memories of what we

experienced the night before

Activation synthesis theory- dreams are put into a narrative-like
sequence. However, they are jumbled up and put in no particular order
which is why we can only remember parts of our dreams and why they
make no sense.

RELIGION AND DREAMS

Connecting mind, body and spirit
Christians: God is communicating with

them through their dreams

Buddhists: Deeper and meaningful
purpose

DREAM THEORY IN THE

21ST CENTURY
Scientists have most recently

come to the theory that dreams

are your bodies way of cleansing
out your brain and its processes
throughout the day

NIGHTMARES
Most commonly occur in adults that recently suffered from a traumatic

experience

Typically recurring

Result of major stress

Work or school

Photo Courtesy of http://

art-of-dreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/things-todo-in-lucid-dream.jpg

TIPS
Dont
Go to sleep
Stressed
Upset
Sad
Angry
Yoga
Stretching
Breathing exercises

Eat before bed

Heavy foods

Regulate
sleep patterns
Alcohol consumption
Caffeine consumption

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Therapy and counseling
Can aid in understanding the root of

your issues sleeping

UNCC Counseling Center
http://counselingcenter.uncc.edu
Appointments available:
8AM-5PM
Monday-Friday

Photo Courtesy of UNCC Counseling Center Webpage