Dreams and the subconscious

Writer: Tara Kaur Phull

The science of dreams - oneirology - studies the nature, functions and meanings of dreams. Whilst various theories exist, including memory consolidation, emotional processing and threat simulation, a definitive understanding of why we dream remains elusive. One main neurobiological theory of dreaming is the ‘activation-synthesis hypothesis’, which states that dreams don’t have any substantial meaning, and are merely electrical brain impulses that form from an assortment of thoughts and imagery from our memories. The theory goes that humans construct dream stories after they wake up, in an attempt to make sense of it all. Despite the range of indirect experimental evidence, evolutionary psychologists have also theorised that dreaming does serve a purpose, in particular the ‘threat simulation theory’. The theory of which dreams are a biological defence mechanism provided as an evolutionary advantage to simulate potential threatening events. 

Dreams are often seen as a window into the subconscious mind, where hidden thoughts, fears, and desires can manifest; they are linked to the consolidation of memories and can be taught to control. This perspective is rooted from the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who believed dreams could reveal unconscious conflicts and unresolved issues. 

Freud’s ‘Interpretation of Dreams’  consists of six core ideas: dreams as wish fulfilment; the unconscious mind; dream work; manifest vs. latent content; the role of censorship and dream analysis. He argues that dreams are expressions of repressed desires, often rooted in childhood, which could arguably be linked to his ideas of personal development of childhood during the five psychosexual stages. From a standpoint of not agreeing with his stages of human development, we can delve into Carl Gustav Jung’s viewpoints, as a former follower, and later critic of Freud. 

Jung believed more that dreams are not just expressions of repressed desires, but communications from the unconscious that can help guide the individual towards individualisation. This is the process of integrating all aspects of the swelled (conscious and unconscious) to achieve what is best described as ‘psychological wholeness’. Another major Jungian concept is the ‘collective unconscious’ and the ‘amplification method’. He uses the idea of symbols relating to myths, literature, religion and cultural motifs, to uncover deeper meanings found in vivid dreams. 

Research surrounding the topic on dreams and the subconscious focuses on the neurophysiology of dreaming and testing hypotheses about its purpose. While scientific studies provide insight into the biological processes involved—such as brain activity during REM sleep—they often fall short of fully explaining the personal, symbolic, and emotional dimensions of our dreams. Due to this reason, we often look to the psychoanalysis of dreams for a better understanding as they are the closest reasoning we have, with people mainly looking at the works of figures like Freud and Jung, who offer more of an explanation. Though subjective, these theories remain compelling with their focus on inner desires, unresolved conflicts, and the symbolic nature of the unconscious mind. In the absence of definitive answers,  it’s ultimately up to us as individuals to choose which theory we think best fits our dream patterns and subconscious thinking.