Why Do Dreams Feel So Real?

Imagine you're playing a video game, and it feels like you're really there. That's kind of what happens when you dream. Your brain is still active while you sleep, and it creates stories that feel real. Sometimes they’re silly, sometimes scary, but they can be so vivid that when you wake up, you think you were actually in them! This happens because your brain uses the same parts it uses during the day to make dreams feel real.

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Examples

  1. You dream you’re flying like a bird. When you wake up, your feet still feel like they're hovering above the ground.
  2. You eat a sandwich in your dream and then wake up with the smell of bread on your face.
  3. You’re chased by a dinosaur in your sleep, and you can still hear its roar when you wake up.

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