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As if it wasn't enough that men and women were poles apart when they were awake, we now have a study that claims that they dream differently too. Women experience more nightmares than men do, researchers have found. Your dream content is influenced by your lifestyle, food habits, and a host of other factors.
Dreams hold meaning, and you can interpret a person's life solely on the basis of a dream.
Dream analyst Sangeeta Krishna says she has discovered facts about various people who've approached her, by interpreting their dreams; facts they would have otherwise withheld. "So, if you are visiting an analyst to interpret your dream, be prepared, because you might be inadvertently revealing something very personal about yourself," she warns.
What the study says
A study of 170 volunteers at the University of the West of England has revealed that women's dreams are more intense and leave an impression when they wake up. Women who are premenstrual, tend to dream more aggressively, and are more likely to remember the dream.
At least three distinct types of nightmares among women have been identified, all of which may allow the brain to rehearse its reaction to a distressing or dangerous situation.
1. One involves being chased or hunted.
2. Another involves the loss
of a parent, child or partner.
3. The third involves weird and new environments.
The reason: Changes in a woman's body temperature caused by her monthly cycle are responsible for the increase in the number of vivid and disturbing dreams.
We got dream analyst and spiritual consultant, Sangeeta Krishnan, to comment on the study
"The sample size is too small (170), so, I don't believe the results can be used to make a generalised statement. Perhaps, the subjects who were studied lived in a fast-paced metropolis, where stress
levels are generally high. Men and women dream differently, because they are physiologically and socially different. This is bound to impact the kind of dreams they have."
What do the famous dream about?
Anaida, singer
My dreams depend on my state of mind. I dream about flying around and visiting various places. It's an
enjoyable experience.
Sangeeta says: Anaida's dream indicates her attitude toward life. She is bold, ambitious and carefree. She prefers to focus on the positive. This reveals her optimism and drive.
Hemant Oberoi, Corporate & Executive Chef, The Taj Hotel
Most of my dreams circle around running my own restaurant, followed by opening a chain of eateries. I often see myself giving advice to others.
Sangeeta says: It is interesting to see that he is dreaming of what he really wishes to do. Often, our
subconscious helps us realise our goals. This is called wish fulfillment.
Farooq Sheikh, actor
I rarely dream and am a sound sleeper.
Sangeeta says: Everyone dreams. Dreams play a vital role in maintaining your physical and mental health. Those who say they do not dream, do not remember that they do. Even those who remember their dreams, tend to do so fleetingly.
Why do we dream?
We dream to exercise the synapses, or pathways, between brain cells, and dreaming takes over when the active and awake brain sleeps off. When awake, our brain constantly transmits and receive messages, which keep our bodies in perpetual motion. Dreams replace this function.
Dreams focus on our thoughts and emotions, and deal with concerns we are incapable of handling during the course of the day. We dream during the REM, or rapid eye movement, phase of sleep. During this phase, our closed eyes dart rapidly about, our brain activity peaks, and our muscles suffer temporary paralysis.
Why can't I remember all my dreams?
If you wake up right after a dream, you tend to remember your dreams better when you wake up in the morning. Dreams are more easily remembered if they are exciting.That's why people remember nightmares. You should keep a notepad next to your bed, and jot down your dreams in it.
Women dream as much about sex as men:
Men may spend infinitely more of their waking time thinking about sex than women, but both genders dream about the subject in equal measure, said a recent study.
While women tend to fantasise about film stars, politicians, rock stars or lovers, past or present, men tend to visualise themselves making love to multiple partners in public or unknown settings.
Difference between sexes continues even when we sleep
Men's dreams:
* Have more strangers
* More often involve cars, roads and
violence
* Feature sex, and are about work and financial security
Women's dreams:
* Are increasingly about work
* Have more emotion in them
* Are likely to last longer
* Are more often based on the home, and involve family members | 
