How often do you find yourself recalling your dreams? Have you ever woken up with the sensation that you’ve had a dream, only to be unable to recall the specifics? As it turns out, the ability to remember dreams may be influenced by a complex array of factors.

A team of researchers in Italy has spent the past four years investigating “morning dream recall,” a phenomenon that has been the subject of their recent study published in the journal Communications Psychology on Monday. The study delves into the various personality traits and behaviors that appear to impact our capacity to recall dreams upon waking. Gaining insight into the dynamics of morning dream recall is crucial for understanding the enigmatic brain function of dreaming, which continues to elude precise scientific comprehension.

According to lead author Giulio Bernardi, a psychologist at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, “Our findings indicate that dream recall is not merely a matter of chance, but rather a reflection of the interplay between personal attitudes, cognitive traits, and sleep dynamics.” In a university statement, Bernardi added, “These insights not only enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying dreaming but also have significant implications for exploring the role of dreams in mental health and the study of human consciousness.” The study’s findings can be accessed in more detail through this link.

Bernardi and his colleagues conducted their research on over 200 participants aged 18 to 70. The participants were asked to maintain a dream journal and wear a sleep-monitoring wristwatch for a period of 15 days. Prior to and following this period, the participants completed a series of tests and questionnaires designed to assess various personal aspects, including their interest in dreams, propensity for distraction, and anxiety levels.

The researchers observed a notable variability in morning dream recall among the participants, along with several potential factors that influence this ability. For instance, individuals who reported a positive outlook on dreams and a tendency to daydream were more likely to recall their dreams frequently. The season also appeared to play a role, with a higher rate of dream recall observed during the spring compared to the winter.

Additionally, individuals who spent more time in light sleep, as well as younger participants in general, exhibited a greater propensity for dream recall. In contrast, older participants often woke up with the sensation that they had dreamed, but were unable to recall the details – a phenomenon the researchers referred to as “white dreams.” The study’s findings suggest that “white dreams” may indeed represent actual dream experiences, with the memories of their content fading upon waking.

Valentina Elce, the study’s first author and a PhD student in cognitive, computational, and social neurosciences at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, noted that “the data collected within this project will serve as a reference for future comparisons with clinical populations.” This will enable researchers to further investigate the pathological alterations of dreaming and their potential prognostic and diagnostic value.

It is essential to acknowledge that dreams are self-reported, which renders the study susceptible to biases. Nevertheless, the identification of potential influences on morning dream recall by Bernardi, Elce, and their colleagues provides valuable insights into the mysterious brain function of dreaming, a phenomenon that has fascinated humanity for millennia.