Dreaming can be more than a simple state of the brain. We can experience sleep waking, outer body experience, daydreams, even dreams that appear to be shared or prophetic. However, vivid dreams take you on a ride through a labyrinth of the most bizarre, random or even graphic images when you sleep. These are not your regular run of the mill type of dreams – these are normal dreams on steroids.
Dreams that appear to be crazy, weird or even wacky usually fall under the category of ‘vivid dreams’. It feels as if you are in the front row of a movie as everything is more intense and real. Heightened awareness, vibrant colors, as the realistic feeling makes you believe that your dream world is reality.
In fact scientists have understood that these dreams tend to occur during our rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, usually lasting up to 25 minutes.
What Causes Vivid Dreams?
There are many variables that induce vivid type dreams when we sleep. These dream can present themselves as both negative or positive, however there seems to be a correlation between vivid dreams and nightmares. You will need to examine aspects of your daily life and see if they are influencing your dreams.
- Types of medication
- Stress or anxiety
- Substance abuse
- Types of mental health disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Early pregnancy
- Eating certain types of food before sleep
- Puberty
- Melatonin
- Lucid dreams
- Flu or viral infections
What are the side effects of vivid dreams?
Vivid dreams are something that you should really worry about, they happen to everybody. They usually emerge when during certain times of your life. However, vivid nightmares that can last weeks to months can be quite distressing on the individual. This in turn will effects your sleeping patterns that can also lead to increased stress and health problems.
Daytime sleepiness: A lack of concentration, clumsy behaviour and memory issues effects productivity at work, home or relationship. Increased risk driving or operating any mortised vehicle. Disoriented thinking or increased daydreaming.
Mood Fluctuation: These types of dreams can be psychologically draining that increases fluctuation of your moods. You might experience a low grade mood, depression or anxiety if it continues.
Resisting sleep: The fear of sleeping to avoid these dreams creates a snowball effect. You will try to resist going to sleep afraid just not to experience these dreams. Once your REM sleep is distorted you will have increased anxiety and possible hallucinations if you are trying to stay up for many nights.
Suicidal Thoughts: It is common people for people to freak out during this time, however it can be fixed. You can join our dream forum for assistance or if you have thoughts of suicide you can call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. It’s vital to get help right away.
Vivid Dreams
These dreams can be a wonderful experience or an absolute nightmare. The good side to these dreams you might experience flying in the sky as you feel the warm breeze on your face. Sometimes you will have the most magical romantically connection as if you felt you have met your soul mate.
On the flip side these weird and crazy dreams can feel like an absolute nightmare that you cannot get out from. The duration feels as if you are stuck in the dream world forever as you think that this is reality. Dreaming of being chased, attacked, teeth falling out, falling all feel like a horror movie.
How To Stop Lucid Vivid Dreams
Medications:
Studies have shows that antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and allergy medicines will affect your dream settings, and this is usually not always in a good way. Check with your health care provider if you are taking any medications that can cause these dreams.
- Blood Pressure Medications – Beta-blockers
- Antidepressants – SSRIs
- Sleep Aids & Allergy Medications – Antihistamines
- Steroids – Prednisone & Methylprednisolone
- Alzheimer’s Medications – Donepezil & Rivastigmine
- Parkinson’s Medication – Amantadine
- Cholesterol-Lowering Medications – Statins
Stress & Anxiety:
During certain times in our lives it is normal to have healthy stress. However, if you are overwhelmed with stress and anxiety your dreams will be more vivid. Unconsciously you may be trying to sort out these internal issues as they are being reflecting in your dream world. The dreams and the symbol in them appear as metaphors so you can fix the root of the problem.
- Yoga or Meditation
- Cut out sugars or coffee
- Work out
- Maintain a proper diet
- Speak to a health care professional
Diet:
Your diet plays a vital role when it comes to sleeping. Proper eating schedule, avoiding fatty foods, drinking lots of water as well as getting enough sleep for the day. If your diet is a problem joining a gym, running or walking will help improve sleep. Keeping your stress down also helps improve sleep.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Painful past experiences that hasn’t been resolved can enter our dream world. These dream take on a nightmarish type setting that is filled with symbolism that is often frightening. People who have experienced war, traumatic childhood experiences or even abuse can experience vivid dreams.
Alcohol and Drugs:
Even though alcohol is a sedative, its effects taper down in the middle of the night. People who drink on a regular basis will experience sleep disturbances and sleep apnea. Drugs also effect dream settings can can make them extremely vivid.