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This idea ignores a fascinating aspect of REM sleep. During REM, the brain shuts down the executive functions, while the brain goes into extreme 'story generati

This idea ignores a fascinating aspect of REM sleep. During REM, the brain shuts down the executive functions, while the brain goes into extreme 'story generation mode'. A story in which you are a character. I think this is one of the most overlooked and interesting parts of dreaming. We are able to observe ourselves in our dreams acting without the constraints of our 'executive functioning' brain. This means we get to learn about our purely emotional behaviour, and perhaps spot where it is maladaptive. (I am very bias on this subject, as I have written a paper on this topic - https://psyarxiv.com/k6trz https://psyarxiv.com/k6trz, which was discussed here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19143590 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19143590)

majkinetor 6y ago
You sound like its a fact, while its just one interpretation. The idea also doesn't ignore REM sleep like you claim. > This means we get to learn about our purely emotional behaviour, and perhaps spot where it is maladaptive. How did you get this ? Its another interpretation of available data. Extreme story generation mode may not be end goal but artifact.
- vinay_ys 6y ago
  It may not even be a 'mode' as such.
agumonkey 6y ago
Makes me wonder when did animals started to dream, even prototypcally. Mammals ? Reptiles ?
sundarurfriend 6y ago
I think the article describes one good reason for why we dream, one of the benefits of dreaming, but it doesn't have to be the only or even main reason. I think it's most likely that dreaming provides multiple benefits, and what the article claims is one of the minor ones.
bonoboTP 6y ago
I definitely feel like I have "executive function" even in many non-lucid dreams. It's just that I assume it's reality but I'm still solving problems, fighting, running away, talking to people to achieve things. Yes the world changes in weird ways and the distinctive thing about dreams is not noticing that this level of weirdness is implausible. But I'm distinctly not "purely emotional" or animalistic in my dreams.
LocalH 6y ago
It's almost as if dreaming is quasi-psychedelic

majkinetor 6y ago

You sound like its a fact, while its just one interpretation. The idea also doesn't ignore REM sleep like you claim. > This means we get to learn about our purely emotional behaviour, and perhaps spot where it is maladaptive. How did you get this ? Its another interpretation of available data. Extreme story generation mode may not be end goal but artifact.

vinay_ys 6y ago
It may not even be a 'mode' as such.

agumonkey 6y ago

Makes me wonder when did animals started to dream, even prototypcally. Mammals ? Reptiles ?

sundarurfriend 6y ago

I think the article describes one good reason for why we dream, one of the benefits of dreaming, but it doesn't have to be the only or even main reason. I think it's most likely that dreaming provides multiple benefits, and what the article claims is one of the minor ones.

bonoboTP 6y ago

I definitely feel like I have "executive function" even in many non-lucid dreams. It's just that I assume it's reality but I'm still solving problems, fighting, running away, talking to people to achieve things. Yes the world changes in weird ways and the distinctive thing about dreams is not noticing that this level of weirdness is implausible. But I'm distinctly not "purely emotional" or animalistic in my dreams.

LocalH 6y ago

It's almost as if dreaming is quasi-psychedelic