Why Do Nightmares Feel So Real_ Gentle Dream Science Facts for Sleep
Close your eyes and let the science of dreams explain why nightmares feel so terrifyingly real. During REM sleep, your brain's amygdala, the center for processing fear and emotion, fires as if you are truly in danger. This occurs even though your body is temporarily paralyzed to prevent you from acting out your dreams. Your brain struggles to differentiate fantasy from reality during this stage, processing memories and emotions in a way that can make a vivid nightmare feel as intense as a waking crisis. This is why waking from a nightmare often leaves you with a racing heart and a lasting…
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