Dreams are one of the most perplexing phenomena of sleep. We’ve all experienced them—vivid, emotional, or downright strange—but the question remains: why do we dream? What purpose do these nightly experiences serve?

Sleep science offers some interesting insights into why we dream. During sleep, our brain remains incredibly active, especially during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage in which most dreaming occurs. It’s during this phase that our brain processes the events of the day, organizing memories, sorting through emotions, and discarding unnecessary information. Some researchers believe that dreaming is a byproduct of this process—a way for the brain to make sense of the chaos of daily life.

In addition to memory processing, dreams may also play a role in emotional regulation. Have you ever had a particularly vivid dream about something that happened during the day, especially if it was stressful? Dreaming about these events may help the mind process and resolve the emotions attached to them. In this way, dreams can be seen as a form of emotional housekeeping—an opportunity for the mind to work through unresolved feelings.

Though much of dream science remains a mystery, one thing is certain: our dreams are intimately connected to our waking lives, reflecting our memories, emotions, and subconscious thoughts. Understanding this relationship between dreams and sleep can help us appreciate the intricate ways our brains work to keep us mentally healthy.