You may want to start with a recent review book such as

The Paradox of Sleep: The Story of Dreaming by Michel Jouvet (Author), Laurence Garey (Translator).

Michel Jouvet is perhaps the world's leading sleep and dream researcher. He discovered a mysterious dream state that he called paradoxical sleep. This third category of brain activity (distinct from sleeping and waking) is a state of very deep sleep with some specific motor events, including rapid eye movements (REM). In The Paradox of Sleep, Jouvet takes the reader on a scientific and sociological tour of the history of sleep and dream research, concluding with his own ideas on the function of dreaming.

Jouvet tells the story of a handful of neurobiologists, including himself, who pioneered sleep and dream research in the 1950s. He describes the technical and ideological obstacles they faced and opens his own laboratory to the reader, explaining anatomical, biochemical, and even genetic techniques. He also touches on psychological, philosophical, and metaphysical aspects of sleep and dreaming.

A key section of the book is Jouvet's discussion of why we dream. After summarizing Freud's theory of dreams, he contrasts it with current neurobiological data. Finally, he outlines his own controversial theory about why we dream: to preserve our individuality. Dreaming, claims Jouvet, is necessary for the genetic reprogramming of our brain.

Also, visit the website for the International Association for the Study of Dreams at https://www.asdreams.org/? where you will find a journal and links to other information.

Thank you Wanessa!

You described your feelings so beautifully, both from the point of view of a woman and a scientist. You probably experienced these feelings many times ...

Thank you very much Hendrika for your data!

It is helpful. Thanks for website and informations for the International Association for the Study of Dreams and journal.

KR,

Sergey

There are many important scientific and technological advancements that people discovered in their dreams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W85Dwxx218

Dreams are stories and images that our minds create while we sleep. They can be entertaining, fun, romantic, disturbing, frightening, and sometimes bizarre.

Some key points about dreams.

• Though a few people may not remember dreaming, it is thought that everyone dreams between 3 to 6 times per night.
• It is thought that each dream lasts between 5 to 20 minutes.
• Around 95% of dreams are forgotten by the time a person gets out of bed.
• Dreaming can help you learn and develop long-term memories.
• Women dream more about family, children and indoor settings when compared with men.
• Recalling something from last week that has appeared in your dream is called the "dream-lag effect."
• There is a difference in the quality and quantity of dreams experienced in rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep.
• 48% of people that feature in a dream are recognized by the person dreaming.
• Blind people dream more with other sensory components compared with sighted people.
• Both sleep and dream quality are affected by alcohol.

Science has made a great progress in deepening our understanding of dreaming. Still, there is no answer to question why do we dream? However, a great number of theories being explored. Some current theories suggest that dreaming is:

1. A component and form of memory processing aiding in the consolidation of learning and short-term memory to long term memory storage.

2. An extension of waking consciousness, reflecting the experience of waking life.

3.A means by which the mind works through difficult, complicated, unsettling thoughts, emotions, and experiences to achieve psychological and emotional balance.

4. The brain responding to biochemical changes and electrical impulses that occur during sleep.

5. A form of consciousness that unites past, present and future in processing information from the first two, and preparing for the third.

6. A protective act by brain to prepare itself to face threats, dangers and challenges.

Pleas also have a look at these useful ResearchGate links.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_do_we_dream

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_do_we_dream2

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_do_we_dream3

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_do_we_dream4

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_dream_What_are_basic_causes_of_it

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_a_dream_There_are_scientific_basis_of_a_dream

Thanks a lot Arvind!

Very good answer. This is a generalization of the existing data. And very useful links.

Sergey.