Sometimes the brain seems to play tricks on us, offering a “fake” awakening, meaning it feels like we’ve woken up, but in reality, we continue to dream. The same areas of the brain that are activated during self-analysis in real life are activated during a false awakening. However, the reality check mechanism “breaks down,” and we can’t distinguish between a dream and reality. Pakistani researchers, led by Nimrah Noor, analyzed 28 scientific papers to understand this phenomenon.
So, what causes a false awakening?
1. Emotional state: Stress and trauma can increase the frequency and intensity of such dreams.
2. Mental disorders: False awakenings can be a sign of PTSD, anxiety disorders, or depersonalization.
3. Sleep disturbances: Disruptions in routine (for example, shift work) confuse the brain.
4. Dissociation: A feeling of detachment from oneself and reality makes a person more vulnerable to such dreams.
Beliefs and cultural characteristics also matter because how we perceive and remember dreams depends on our beliefs. False awakenings can be a stepping stone to lucid dreams if we learn to track this state. The authors add that cognitive therapy helps people cope with anxious feelings. It’s also important to talk about it in order to explain the essence of the phenomenon to people, as understanding what they have encountered reduces their fear.
Have you ever had a false awakening? How many times in a row have you falsely “woken up?”
The article was published in June 2025 in the Policy Journal of Social Science Review.
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