Flexi Says: Scientists who study the brain are still learning about complex functions like dreaming. New technologies allow scientists to image the brain in detail as people are sleeping and dreaming. According to recent evidence, dreaming is involved in both memory formation and emotional regulation. During sleep, the brain transfers memories from short term storage to longer term storage. Some memories seem to be activated repeatedly in neurons during this process, which is thought to strengthen the memory. This may contribute some imagery to dreams. Some dreams also activate the part of the brain that is involved in emotional regulation, the amygdala. Researchers think that intense dreams may help people learn important emotional regulation skills that are useful in real life stressful situations. Some scientists also propose that intense dreams also serve an evolutionary function of preparing people to survive threats in the environment by simulating threats in the relative safety of sleep. Dreaming of a frightening, threatening situation may prompt people to take actions to prepare for, or to avoid, a related threat in the real world.
