Inside us
Dreams
A world can feel real while your eyes are closed.
Dreaming happens during sleep. Scientists continue to investigate why we dream; there is no single settled explanation.
A closer look
The picture, in three parts.
Sleep
The brain moves through changing states.
Experience
Images, emotions and narratives may emerge.
Wake
Some dreams are remembered; many are not.
Where could this take you next?
Sources & further reading +
Short explanations, grounded in published sources. Follow the originals for depth and context.
Sources checked: 10 September 2026. Visuals are illustrations, not documentary evidence.
Our approach to sources and corrections