Why Can't I Remember My Dreams?

Dreams can range from the funny to the scary to the downright strange, but you might also find yourself scratching your head and wondering, "Why can't I remember my dreams?" If you wake in the morning feeling disappointed that you don’t recall any dreams that you had overnight, you may wonder if you dream at all.

The truth is though—everyone dreams every night. However, the reasons why you don't remember your dreams can vary from person to person. The fact is that, unless they are highly memorable, most dreams tend to fade quickly once you wake. Plus, other factors, like a lack of REM sleep or the presence of a sleep disorder, might interfere with your ability to remember your dreams.

Reasons Why You Can't Remember Your Dreams

If you often ask 'why can't I remember my dreams,' here are some of the most common explanations:

You May Not Have Had Enough REM Sleep

If you can't remember your dreams when you wake up, it is possible that REM sleep is not occurring (or at least not occurring as much as normal).

If REM sleep occurs, the vivid dreams associated with it may not be recalled. If there is a transition from REM sleep to another state of sleep (most often stage 1 or stage 2), you may forget your dreams before recovering consciousness.

Medications may suppress REM sleep. In particular, antidepressants seem to have a powerful influence by delaying the onset or reducing the amount of REM sleep. Alcohol may also act as a REM sleep suppressant, at least until it wears off.

Your Recollection Of Dreams Begins to Fade When You Wake Up

The reality is that dreams tend to fade very fast upon waking. This happens to everyone regardless of how good their memory is.

But, it is possible for elements of the dream to be recalled later in the day, perhaps triggered by an experience that reactivates the same area of the brain that created the dream overnight.

Particularly memorable dreams may create an impression that persists for decades. Recounting the dream to another person may help to stabilize the memory.

Dreams (or nightmares) that are associated with intense emotions, including fear, may also stick in the mind. The amygdala is an area of the brain that may help to elicit these emotion-laden dreams.

You May Have a Sleep Disorder

Sleep disorders may impact dream recall. For example, untreated obstructive sleep apnea may also contribute to fragmented REM sleep as disturbed breathing occurs due to the relaxation of the airway muscles. For some, this may lead to increased dream recall (including dreams of drowning or suffocation).

Sleep apnea may likewise lead to REM sleep deprivation, and effective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may cause a profound rebound of REM sleep.

People with narcolepsy also experience sudden sleep transitions that contribute to dream recall, sleep-related hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

How to Remember Your Dreams

If you are tired of wondering 'why can't I remember my dreams' and want to learn more about what your dreams are about, there are a few things you can do. If you are interested in improving your dream recall, consider a simple change: keep a dream journal.

Start a Dream Journal

By keeping a pen and a notebook on the nightstand next to the bed, it becomes easy to quickly record dreams immediately upon waking up. You'll be able to write them down before you start to forget them.

Practice Good Sleep Habits

In addition to keeping a dream journal, having good sleep habits may also help improve your dream recall. Focus on going to bed and waking at the same time each day. Create a restful sleep environment so you are able to sleep more comfortably without waking due to being too cold, too hot, or distracted by environmental noises.

Limit Distractions and Stimulation Before Bedtime

Try to reduce the number of distractions before bedtime. Scrolling through social media and watching television can be highly distracting and make it harder to get a good night's sleep. Plus, the blue light emitted by your devices can also disrupt your brain's ability to settle down for rest.

Instead of relying on these devices to distract and entertain you, try engaging in a restful activity that will help prepare you for sleep, such as taking a warm bath, meditating, or gentle stretching.

Talk About Your Dreams

Right after waking, tell your partner or another family member (or even your pet) about what you remember about your dreams. Sharing these details can help cement them in your memory more. As you talk about your dream, you may also find yourself remembering more of the details, or even recalling other dreams you might have had.

Takeaways

While it can be frustrating not to remember your dreams, it's important to recognize that it is pretty common. Even if your dream recall is very good, chances are you will only remember a small portion of what you dream each night.

If your dream recall is very poor and you are experiencing other signs of sleep deprivation, you might want to talk to your doctor to see if something is going on that might be interfering with your sleep. In addition to ruling out sleep disorders or conditions that interfere with sleep, you can also take steps, such as keeping a dream journal and using good sleep habits, to improve the likelihood of recalling your dreams.