No Dreams. Looking For Explanation.

[joeylittle]

@Chimera - the working scientific theory is that you do dream, you just don't remember your dreams. Whether or not we remember what we dream has to do with which state of sleep we awaken out of, or are disturbed out of.

Medications and other techniques that deal with nightmares are helping by either enhancing your sleep so that you don't awaken mid-cycle, or inhibiting your ability to reach deep REM sleep, where dreams are thought to be most vivid (this is through information captured on EEG, fMRI, etc.).

 

[Chimera]

Could pain be a factor then? Since my accident I awaken often at night trying to find release from discomfort. I don't take meds for pain.

 

[joeylittle]

Yes, @Chimera - if you waken frequently, you might not ever be getting to the part of REM where vivid dreaming happens. According to the things I've read, it's likely that you are getting enough sleep to cause some EEG activity that could be considered 'dreaming', but that you aren't ever going fully into a dream state. And/or, it's possible that you go through one full cycle a night, but that you are exhausted enough from not sleeping well otherwise that you go deeply enough into it to not be disturbed, and therefore not remember your dreams.

This is all science like 'we are pretty sure this is what happens in the brain' science. You'd have to have a sleep study done to really get more insight. Is that something you've ever considered?

 

[Chimera]

I should mention though, I haven't remembered dreaming in about 11? years..? Before accident...
Thinking about it, I haven't dreamt in so very long...only a few, profound dreams..what might be considered precognitive dreams..and they all came to fruition. no others...(referencing another post about seeing others eyes)

 

[Chimera]

Smiles, oh hell I am a study in contrasts. I've never considered seeing a doc about this...I will discuss it with my therapist when my appointment occurs. I do appreciate your input, it helps greatly to hear the ideas, knowledge and advice of my peers.
I just miss them, my dreams, sometimes I got to fly in them...
Thank you @joeylittle

 

[Flossy]

I have not dreamed in my adult life. Now in my sixties. ( I know they say we do not remember them).
I started dreaming when I went onto Buproprion (zyban) I am taking it for depression not for stopping smoking. It works well to motivate me. It also works on motivation, cutting carb cravings and improves the gut processes.

I must add that the dreams I have are usually releveant to family and trauma or at the least serious dreams. I never dream fantasy dreams. I did when I was a child. I dreamt I could fly then.

 

[Chimera]

@Flossy
Understood. I take no meds. Aside from tumeric and melatonin, as well as ibuprofen for pain. I am generally unmedicated. I don't respond well to manufactured meds...
I know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. The rest is mystery. This tends to create more issues than it solves....for me, at least.
Still I am open to "better Living through science".
Hoping we both find peace on this path we walk...
Thank you

 

[Chimera]

I started dreaming when I went onto Buproprion(zyban)

I will try to remember this.

 

[Chimera]

I dreampt.
Women and me and Halloween.
Woop!

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Yaaay :)

 

[EveHarrington]

Dreams/no dreams.....either isn't a cause for concern as remembering dreams is a function of how deep your sleep is.

The problem arises when you have nightmares which prevent decent sleep.

Otherwise, all is well and no cause for alarm.

 

[Flossy]

I started dreaming when I went onto Buproprion(zyban)

@Chimera
I will try to remember this.

@Chimera Maybe keep a scrapbook of snippets you feel fit with you. For future reference.

Buproprion is used as a Dopamine enhancer. Dopamine works on motivation. Did you ever see the movie Awakenings? It was a true story about a doctor called Dr Oliver Sacks who used a Dopamine replacement (L-dopa) on mentally unwell patients who were in an almost catatonic state. They could walk but would not move or talk. Within days of taking this replacement they began to come out of their state and behaved normally and could speak. Sadly for some unknown reason it did not continue to work and they eventually reverted.

I have followed Dr Sack's career and fully intended to write to him to tell him about Buproprion, but just found out last week that he died. I wanted to bring it to his attention and see if he was interested in trialling it. He was a special man.

I think that with time the "experts" will realise that there is something about lack of dopamine and also over-excitement of the adrenal gland that causes depresssion and possibly even PTSD.

Best wishes.