In our inner world where the boundaries of reality fade away, dreams manifest as mirrors to the self, reflecting our deepest fears and highest hopes.

Professor Mark Blagrove, the mastermind behind the Sleep Lab at Swansea University, offers a unique insight into this mysterious phenomenon that wanders through our minds every night.

Dreams and nightmares are an integral part of the sleep experience, yet they remain among the most puzzling enigmas in the field of human psychology. Blagrove believes that these nocturnal visions are not mere mental whims but complex stories filled with characters, emotions, and plots, designed to be shared and narrated.

Dreams are believed to function as simulations of reality, where we face threats and practice overcoming them in a safe environment. At times, these threats can be psychological, targeting our self-esteem and forcing us to deal with arguments and ways of responding to others.

Blagrove also suggests that dreams may serve as a means of consolidating memories, making them more enduring, which can lead to vivid dreams. However, some scientists argue that they may be mere epiphenomena resulting from wakeful dreams experienced during wakefulness.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is considered a crucial stage in the dreaming process, where most dreams occur and tend to be more vivid. It is noted that dreams may "disappear" if we do not wake up during this cycle, while nightmares are usually recalled upon awakening during their occurrence.

Nightmares, which Blagrove describes as "disturbing dreams carrying negative feelings," are believed to be functionally more significant than regular dreams, as they serve as the brain's way of coping with fears and threats.

Ultimately, dreams and nightmares are an integral part of the human experience, enriching our lives and deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. As Blagrove demonstrates, sharing these visions can be a key to building empathy and human connections, thus enhancing the art of storytelling, which is an essential part of our history and culture.