What gives? Let’s dive headfirst into the weird and wonderful world of dreams – especially those freaky ones that make zero sense when your real life is anything but terrifying.
Your brain never clocks out
Even when you’re sleeping like a log, your brain’s still pulling an all-nighter. Especially during REM sleep, the stage when your eyes dart around under your eyelids and your mind goes into full creative overdrive. That’s the dream zone.
Thing is, during REM, the parts of your brain that handle logic and control kinda go on holiday. Meanwhile, the emotion centres? They’re partying hard. So instead of rational stories, you get bizarre, emotionally intense mashups – like being chased by giant flamingos or stuck in a maze made of spaghetti.
Makes total sense… not.
But I’m not stressed?!
Here’s the twist: you don’t need to feel anxious, stressed or sad to have scary dreams. Sure, nightmares often can be linked to emotional tension, but not always. Sometimes, your brain’s just tossing out weird static. Like a late-night DJ spinning random tracks from the depths of your memory.
Even if you feel great, there could be a tiny forgotten image, a sound, or a half-processed thought from weeks ago that your brain decides to remix at 3 AM. No deeper meaning. Just brain fog meets dream theatre.
Body talk: the physical side
Had a spicy meal? Slept too warm? Needed the loo but didn’t wake up? All these tiny body things can mess with your sleep cycle and lead to more vivid or unsettling dreams. Sometimes, your body’s physical signals translate into weird metaphors – like feeling trapped or under attack in a dream when all that’s actually happening is your blanket’s tangled around your feet.
Your brain’s just trying to interpret the signals. Badly.
Mind’s off on a wild ride while you’re asleep.
Creative minds dream louder
If you’re a storyteller, artist or generally someone with a rich imagination (hello, Just Hanan team), your brain loves spinning stories – even in sleep. You don’t just dream, you dream in 4K cinema. Wild, intense and sometimes scary AF. It’s not about your mood, it’s about how vivid your inner world is.
Think of it as the downside of having a brilliant, creative brain: it never really shuts up.
The dream simulator theory
Here’s one of the cooler ideas from sleep science: dreams are like mental rehearsal rooms. Your brain runs 'what if' scenarios to prep you for real-life threats. Even if there’s no actual danger, it might simulate something dramatic just to test your emotional reflexes.
Basically, you’re living your best life – but your brain’s like, "Cool, but what if we practice escaping a zombie apocalypse anyway?"
So… should you worry?
Honestly? Nah. Scary dreams that pop up now and then are super normal. They don’t mean anything’s wrong with you or your life. Your brain’s just a wild storyteller with no off switch.
Want fewer creepy dreams? Try:
• Cooling your room before bed. • Avoiding heavy meals late at night. • Calming activities before sleep (no doomscrolling!). • Keeping a dream journal to process the weird stuff.
But most of all – don’t overthink it. Your dreams may be dramatic, but they’re just dreams. You wake up, brush it off and get on with being awesome.
Flamingos on skates? Don’t ask. It made perfect dream-sense.
You don’t have to be haunted to have nightmares. Sometimes, your brain just likes to throw a freaky curveball for fun. Sleep well – and if the giant flamingos show up again, tell them to chill.
Hanan
I travel the world to find unexpected stories.
CREDITS Hanan: text
16 July 2025
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