Why Do We Feel Pain When We're Hurt in Our Dreams?

Dreams are not fully understood in modern medicine, but it is thought that the primary function is to help us process information and store essential memories during our rest period. Essentially, it's our body and brain's way of cleaning the house - taking on the essentials and clearing the unnecessary junk.

Dreams occur throughout the sleep cycle, but the REM stage is typically when our strangest dreams take place. This is because our brain activity is at the highest point in the cycle, On the other hand, the non-REM stage tends to showcase dreams more grounded in our waking thoughts and bear a closer resemblance to real life.

• mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, or depression
• hormonal changes like pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause
• certain prescription medications, like antidepressants or melatonin for sleep disorders
• recreational drugs, like cannabis
• eating before bed, with cheese thought to be a source of unusual dreams
• sleep deprivation or significant changes to your sleep schedule 

• There is no objective answer to the meaning of dreams. 
• Many religions and cultures interpret dreams as a reflection or alternative version of our reality, as well as a connection to the spiritual world.
• Similarly, various academic disciplines, particularly in psychology, believe real-world factors, such as stress or trauma, can manifest in our dreams.

Reading up on any dreams you have will offer a variety of interpretations, rather than a one-size-fits-all narrative. Many find that dream interpretations can be comforting, validating their stresses and providing a rational cause for frightening or unusual imagery coming from their subconscious.

In short, yes - a 2017 study found that 1% of healthy people felt real pain after being struck or hurt in a dream, and this number surged to 30% for those with "acute and severe pain" in their waking life.

As for the cause, like dream interpretations, there isn't a singular answer. Erin Wamsley, an assistant professor of psychology at Furman University, told Vice that because pain is always felt through the head, it is triggered by the activation of pain receptors in the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, because dreams also occur in our heads, there is a pathway for this activation to occur.

For those with chronic pain who experience similar sensations in their sleep, Wamsley believes this "might be instigated by actual pain," as opposed to healthy persons, where the sensation of pain in dreams is extracted from stored memories of pain.

For those who have vivid dreams that are painful, frightening, or distressing, the psychologists who spoke to Vice also recommended:

• engaging in lucid dreaming practices to regain control of dreams
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help uncover issues with anxiety, trauma, or stress
• maintaining a solid sleep schedule to prevent recovery sleep, where the body tries to make up for lost rest during sleep deprivation