Scientific curiosity about dreams has captured the human imagination for centuries, yet neuroscientists have only recently started to unravel why some people vividly recall their dreams while others wake up with no memory at all. As reported in May 2025 in a new study published in Communications Psychology, researchers have identified multiple factors—ranging from sleep patterns to personality traits—that influence an individual’s ability to remember dreams, offering fresh insights with both global and Thai relevance (Medscape).
Dreams, in many cultures including Thailand, are often seen as portents or even spiritual messages, shaping personal and societal beliefs. However, scientific approaches focus on dreams as an expression of brain function during an altered state of consciousness. The latest findings not only reveal why dream recall differs between people, but also what these differences might tell us about consciousness, memory, and even mental health.
In the study, 217 healthy adults aged 19–70 recorded their dreams every morning for 15 days while researchers monitored their sleep cycles and administered psychometric tests. Participants who experienced longer periods of lighter sleep—likely with more REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is most often associated with vivid dreaming—were more likely to remember their dreams. Younger individuals were found to recall dream details more easily than older participants, and intriguingly, dream recall was lower during winter compared to spring, hinting that environmental or circadian factors also play a role. Dr. Giulio Bernardi, the study’s senior author, explains, “We know that we forget most of our dreams, and so we wanted to understand why there is this difference between different people because these are factors that are important for us in the study of consciousness.”
For people in Thailand, where seasonal variations are less pronounced than in Europe but where factors like light exposure still shift with the monsoons, this finding encourages further localized study. Since longer or lighter sleep was associated with greater dream recall, links might be drawn to lifestyle factors prevalent in Thailand’s urban and rural environments—such as late-night market culture or early-rising agricultural communities—which impact national sleep habits (Bangkok Post).
A striking revelation was the correlation between daily mind wandering and dream recall. Participants who reported more frequent daydreaming also tended to remember more dreams, a phenomenon linked to the brain’s propensity to generate spontaneous mental experiences—not just during sleep, but throughout waking life. Lead author Dr. Valentina Elce notes, “This propensity of the brain to generate spontaneous experiences goes beyond sleep and also affects mental activity during the day.”
This has practical applications: participants who made a conscious effort to note their dreams each morning improved their recall over time. The simple act of recording dreams may train the brain to retain these nocturnal narratives, which can be an accessible strategy for anyone curious about their inner life. This is particularly relevant for Thailand’s younger generations, where journaling and online sharing of dreams have become common in youth culture, often as a way to interpret meaning or discuss anxieties.
The study’s robust longitudinal design and multifaceted data on sleep and cognition drew praise from outside experts, including Dr. Caleb Lack, a psychology professor in Oklahoma, who commented, “Dream recall seems to be a result of a combination of factors like sleep conditions, thinking about dreams in the morning, and mind wandering during the day… both individual traits and your environment play a role in whether or not you remember any dreams.”
However, caution was expressed regarding the study’s cultural scope, as all participants came from Italy. “There may be some cultural differences in dream recall,” Dr. Lack noted. This observation is highly pertinent to Thailand, a society in which spiritual beliefs about dreaming are deeply embedded, and where cultural context may either encourage or inhibit dream sharing.
Why dreams occur remains unresolved science, though prevailing theories suggest dreams help consolidate memories and process emotions. According to Dr. Elce, “The scientific community does not agree yet about the potential biological function of dreams, and one of the possible ideas is that dreams help us to consolidate our memories…but also to elaborate the emotional content of our experiences.” Stress and trauma influence dream content, often resulting in nightmares; mental health interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy can improve sleep quality and reduce nightmare frequency, offering hope to those experiencing distressing dream-related symptoms.
Thailand’s mental health practitioners, especially sleep specialists and counselors, may find these findings actionable. For example, people experiencing high stress—from academic, work, or social pressures—often report disturbed sleep and negative dreams. Evidence-based therapies, such as CBT for insomnia or trauma, are recommended for anyone with persistent nightmares (Sleep Foundation), an approach gradually gaining traction in urban Thai clinics and university counseling centers (The Nation Thailand).
For most people—including those in Thailand who rarely remember dreams—there is no cause for alarm. As Dr. Lack points out, “The majority of people remember few to no dreams they had the prior night, although prior research shows we probably have around 2 hours of them a night.” Indeed, variability in dream recall is normal and only becomes a clinical concern in the context of persistent distress or sleep disruption.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to analyze dream content more closely, with the goal of identifying whether changes in dreaming can reveal neurological decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Should this line of research prove fruitful, dream analysis may eventually serve as a non-invasive biomarker for cognitive health—presenting exciting new frontiers for science and healthcare in Thailand, a nation facing rapidly aging demographics.
From a cultural perspective, dreams have animated Thai literature, art, and folklore for centuries, serving as narratives in temple murals, sources of lottery numbers, and subjects of animated debate in family kitchens. The intersection of modern neuroscience and traditional beliefs offers fertile ground for dialogue between scientific and cultural understandings, broadening public literacy and acceptance of sleep science.
For Thai readers intrigued by their own dreams or troubled by nightly nightmares, practical steps—such as keeping a dream journal, reflecting on sleep routines, and seeking professional help for sleep disturbances—are encouraged. Schools and community organizations could promote sleep education, incorporating knowledge about dreams into broader wellness campaigns, reducing stigma around both sleep disorders and mental health challenges.
To stay informed about ongoing research and to compare personal experiences with global findings, readers can follow reputable medical sources and scientific updates, such as those provided by Medscape and local Thai health authorities. Engaging in open discussions about dreams, both as fascinating stories and as reflections of brain health, can enrich personal insight and collective wellbeing.
In conclusion, while dreams will likely remain a blend of science and mystery, increasing awareness of the factors behind dream recall can empower Thais to take charge of their sleep health. Whether as a tool for self-reflection, a window into consciousness, or an early warning system for neurological disorders, the knowledge gained from such research can enhance quality of life—anchored deeply in both tradition and modern science.