Imagine that you return to the same city every night in your dreams. Familiar characters await you, as do continuations of yesterday’s tasks and adventures. American scientists Jonathan Gore, Carole Fowler, and Alana Tucker have suggested that in such recurring dreams, a separate “self”—a “dream self,” if you will—is formed. In essence, two people emerge: one in waking life and one in the dream. Each experiences their own situations, problems, and relationships, which influence their traits, skills, and personality.
To test this hypothesis, the researchers conducted a detailed analysis of the dreams of one man who saw the same “dream world” almost every night. The participant kept a dream journal. Then, he underwent a series of interviews where his waking self and dream self were evaluated. The analysis showed that these selves can differ significantly. This implies that dreams are not just random collections of images and that people experience complete and fulfilling experiences in them. They adapt to the conditions of the plot, and their development takes a new path.
The authors also mention lucid dreams, in which the self becomes more independent and rational and the unique dream self is formed to its full potential. The lucid dreamer is not just an observer of the dream events but also an active participant in them. In a brick-by-brick fashion, this lucidity builds a person’s self-awareness in the dream world, helping them to better understand themselves and unlock new possibilities in this alternative reality.
Do you often return to the same plot in your lucid or non-lucid dreams?
The article was published in June 2025 in the International Journal of Dream Research.
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