Can't Remember Your Dreams? These Might Be the Reasons Why

Age, sleep patterns, and even seasons affect how well we remember dreams — or don't remember them at all.

By Jenny Lehmann
Feb 19, 2025 7:00 PMFeb 19, 2025 7:09 PM
Healthy sleeping
Healthy sleeping concept. (Credit: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock)

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Although almost everyone dreams for a large part of the night, not everyone can recall their dreams in the morning. Some people wake up and consistently remember their dreams in vivid detail — including complex storylines, dialogue, and locations — while others have no dream memory whatsoever.

Scientists from the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca in Italy set out to investigate the factors influencing dream recall. They published their findings in Communications Psychology to contribute to a better understanding of the origins, significance, and functions of our dreams.

Current Insights into Dreaming

Despite extensive research, scientists worldwide remain puzzled about why we dream. A recent global increase in dream recall during the COVID-19 pandemic has inspired further investigation to unlock the secrets of dreaming.

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