In many parts of my life, I had terrific dreams that painted the night with vivid colors and extraordinary stories, making it feel like I was living two lives simultaneously. The dreams were colorful and vibrant, filled with an array of subjects that ranged from whimsical adventures in fantastical realms to profound encounters that shifted my perspective on reality. The nice part was I could remember the dreams when waking up, and each recollection felt like a precious gift, allowing me to hold onto those enchanting moments from my subconscious. Unfortunately, everything changed when I had a kidney stone when I was seventy-five and was put under anesthesia to remove the stone. Since that time, I do not remember my dreams at all; they seem to slip away into oblivion as I awaken, leaving behind only an elusive echo of their existence. I experience them when asleep, but now when I wake up, they are gone, like whispers lost in the wind. I miss my dreams dearly, as they were a source of inspiration and joy. I really enjoy recalling my dreams in my conscious time, as they opened up new avenues of creativity and allowed me to explore parts of my mind that felt unexplored. Now, I long for the return of those magical nights where my imagination could run wild and the boundaries of reality seemed to fade away. I do not believe that ability will ever return.
The purpose of dreams isn’t fully understood, but research suggests they serve multiple functions. Neurologically, dreams may help process emotions, consolidate memories, and integrate new information, with the brain’s amygdala and hippocampus playing key roles during REM sleep. Studies, like those from the University of California (2019), indicate dreaming aids in emotional regulation, reducing stress by reprocessing challenging experiences. Cognitively, dreams might enhance problem-solving and creativity by allowing the brain to form novel connections—evidenced by historical anecdotes like Kekulé’s benzene ring dream. Some evolutionary theories propose dreams simulate threats, preparing us for real-world challenges, though this is debated.
Psychologically, dreams could reflect subconscious thoughts, as Freud suggested, or serve as a “virtual reality” for testing scenarios, per Antti Revonsuo’s threat simulation theory. However, the random activation synthesis model (Hobson & McCarley, 1977) argues dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural firing, not always purposeful. Cultural and personal beliefs also shape dream interpretation, but no single purpose is universally agreed upon. Ongoing research continues to explore these angles.
I have always wondered if not going under anesthesia would allow me to keep my dreams, those fleeting images and feelings that often fade upon waking. It intrigues me how dreams can be vivid and meaningful yet easily forgotten. What in the anesthesia removed my ability to remember my dreams? I will never know.
Share this post