Dreams and their "meanings."

[EHLO]

Yep, the bad tooth/teeth dream is one of a list of anxiety type dreams that I now deal with without much fuss. Other classics include falling from a tall building, being naked in a public place and sitting an exam I haven't studied for.

The recurrence of these types of dreams makes them a good entry point for lucid dreaming as they are easy to recognise.

 

[Soapy Sam]

I have sore tooth dreams too. I also grind my teeth when asleep and often awake with a sore jaw. I'm pretty sure my tooth dreams are entirely physical. Your mileage may differ.

The oddest things about dreams to me are -
1. My dreams are in 3-D wide screen graphic colour, in perfect infinite depth of field focus- yet awake I'm very short sighted with no ability to mentally visualise anything. I can't even picture familiar faces.

2. The extremely intense emotions involved- particularly fear. I have never been that frightened when awake, even in genuinely life threatening situations, yet sometimes when I wake I realise there was nothing in the dream that was particularly scary.

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

The worst one for being emotionally intense was one that I find has a habit of repeating itself. Its my cannibalism dreams. I find they are very intense and physical. By physical I don't mean I go out and eat people. I am very active during those dreams.

Although the idea of cannibalism doesn't bother me, its food after all. If you're that hungry and in need of food you'll eat anything.

Hopefully nobody will meet me before food. After they won't meet anybody.

Loose teeth apparently also symbolises money as well a hang ups about one's own appearance.

In the Greek culture, when you dream about loose, rotten, or missing teeth, it indicates that a family member or close friend is very sick or even near death.

According to the Chinese, there is a saying that your teeth will fall out if your are telling lies.?

It has also been said that if you dream of your teeth falling out, then it symbolizes money. This is based on the old tooth fairy story. If you lose a tooth and leave it under the pillow, a tooth fairy would bring you money.?

Cannibalism
To see cannibalism in your dream, symbolises a destructive and forbidden desire or obsession. In a literal sense, cannibals consume people's lives, along with their energy. This dream may then denote an aspect of your life (career, relationship, children...) which is consistently draining your enthusiasm and vitality.

To dream that you are a victim of cannibalism, signifies that you feel that you are being "eating alive" by work, a relationship. or a situation in your waking life.​

http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/c.htm

I would have said a load of old twaddle but it actually has something there. Perhaps there is more to this dream interpretation than my rational self gives credit. for I do have an energy deficit and I do feel that it is being drained away. This dream does appear when my cyst has re-grown. Coincidence perhaps.​

 

[Mr. Scott]

Do Spiny Anteaters Dream of Electric Sleep?

I find dreams often originate from brief, unresolved thoughts from the previous day.

When you are asleep and dreaming, you have all the experiences you have saved up in your brain, especially from that day, just kind of whipping around and making random weird appearances since you are not conscious.

That is precisely my experience and matches much of what I've read.

All mammals dream except for the spiny anteater, and it has an excessively large part of the brain that, in other animals, is active during dreaming. When the anteater encounters something new in its environment, that part of its brain fires up for a moment just as if it had a micro-dream while awake.

Dreams, in my opinion and the opinions of articles I agree with, are the brain's offline processing to incorporate new stuff learned from the previous waking period. (and/or to prune useless stuff). Kind-of like late night virus scans and disk defragmentation.

linky

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

Dolphins don't have a REM phase either. They only "shut down" alternate halves of their brain to rest it.

 

[Humphreys]

Last night I dreamt that I had a loose tooth, much like those I had when I was a child. Throughout the dream, while the major plotline unfolded, it got more and more loose. Eventually, I was able to pull it out. The sensations were so vivid that when i awoke, I quickly ran my tongue over my molars to see if there was a tender gap where a tooth ought to be.

This happens in my dreams quite often.

The tooth falling out dream is supposedly really common. I've had it loads of times, except all my teeth fall out in the dream. I don't know what it means, but I think it probably means different things to different people. I don't buy the sex connection, or the aging/loss of beauty connection, but with me it was coupled with a lot of anxiety. To be honest, I think it's exactly what it seems like - fear of losing teeth.

I had the dream first occur after the bottom of one of my teeth got chipped, if I remember rightly. A lot of people worry about their teeth to some extent, could the dream generally be something as simple as fear of losing teeth? It could also be a lack of control type dream, for me. Losing teeth is really damaging, yet when it occurs it's something completely out of your control.

I'm pretty interested in how and why people experience the same common dreams, though.

ETA: Another thought. I've noticed that many dreams are caused by some external factor, and I know I used to grind my teeth when I slept. Maybe there is a connection there.

ETA AGAIN: I just noticed Dr Buzzo already said this, but I agree.

 

[Dark Jaguar]

To me this whole dream analysis thing seems pretty much silly. I'd like to see something backing this idea up.

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

I had the dream first occur after the bottom of one of my teeth got chipped, if I remember rightly. A lot of people worry about their teeth to some extent, could the dream generally be something as simple as fear of losing teeth? It could also be a lack of control type dream, for me. Losing teeth is really damaging, yet when it occurs it's something completely out of your control.

So would you agree that perhaps a dream is triggered by a passing thought of an anxiety issue raised perhaps. Maybe even a form of a body coded warning message?

I'm pretty interested in how and why people experience the same common dreams, though.

Could it be a common event people are experiencing? If you are concerned with your appearance then like minded individuals should follow the same patterning, would they not? After all evidence here backs that up as some have already mentioned they have dreamt of teeth. How many have dreamt of cannibalism like me, with recurring dreams of that nature?

Just where did/how did the interpreted meanings for these dreams come about?

 

[Humphreys]

So would you agree that perhaps a dream is triggered by a passing thought of an anxiety issue raised perhaps. Maybe even a form of a body coded warning message?

Yeah, possibly, but that doesn't seem to account for all circumstances. I'm sure, if there were a completely common external factor present at all times to explain the teeth dream, or any other, we'd have realized that by now during the tons of research that has been done. I guess that's what I find so interesting. It certainly appears a hundred different causes can create a common dream, which seems to refute the "dreams are the brain defragmenting/random synapse firing" explanations.

Could it be a common event people are experiencing? If you are concerned with your appearance then like minded individuals should follow the same patterning, would they not? After all evidence here backs that up as some have already mentioned they have dreamt of teeth.

Many have dreamt of teeth, but there does not seem to be a common external factor here. Dreams are weird in that they seem to be so random and yet far too consistent and occasionally meaningful for this to be the case.

Why do some dreams make such good sense, while others are complete nonsense?

How many have dreamt of cannibalism like me, with recurring dreams of that nature?

I dunno, I'd imagine that's something far more serious

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

I'd on worry that it is serious if I take up cannibalism.

Back to subject, random events, who knows what we see or who sees day to day life the same as us. If I see the same as you, and dream the same dream concept. Is that random de-fragmentation?

 

[Crazycowbob]

The worst one for being emotionally intense was one that I find has a habit of repeating itself. Its my cannibalism dreams. I find they are very intense and physical. By physical I don't mean I go out and eat people. I am very active during those dreams.

Although the idea of cannibalism doesn't bother me, its food after all. If you're that hungry and in need of food you'll eat anything.

Hopefully nobody will meet me before food. After they won't meet anybody.

Loose teeth apparently also symbolises money as well a hang ups about one's own appearance.




http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/c.htm

I would have said a load of old twaddle but it actually has something there. Perhaps there is more to this dream interpretation than my rational self gives credit. for I do have an energy deficit and I do feel that it is being drained away. This dream does appear when my cyst has re-grown. Coincidence perhaps.[/left]

Well, I feel slightly less abnormal seeing now that I'm not the only one with dreams like that...

You may be right about the interpretation of these type dreams being somewhat correct though, as I think I agree with them more or less. Of course that can be because such an unusual dream as cannibalism (or recurring set of dreams) probably only has a few possible interpretations, versus a tooth falling out that could mean anything.

Who knows, maybe they really do represent something we're dealing with, or maybe they're just random neurons firing in a very very wierd way.

Or, of course, maybe we're just really messed up in the head...

 

[EHLO]

My current working theory for dreams (derived purely introspectively) is that they are more a by-product of sleep processes in the brain rather than serving any purpose of their own. As has been suggested earlier the sleeping brain is sorting through all the experiences and concerns of the day, and in the transitions from deep sleep to awake the conscious mind becomes aware of this and tries to make sense of it by generating stimuli that it "expects" given the current thoughts and emotions that are being processed.

In this sense the dreams are the result of the background thoughts and emotions rather than the dream causing thoughts and emotions, if that makes sense?

Of course once the conscious mind and imagination are in the game the dream can take on a life of its own becoming more vivid and coherent until we wake up, or can fade out again and let us get back to a deep sleep.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

ohhh great. Now I'm worried about dreaming about cannibalism. Ech. Now I don't want to sleep until I forget about worrying about it.

 

[pvt1863]

Count me as one who has little faith in dream interpretation.

There is one question I've always had that nobody has answered adequately. Why would our minds code our dreams? What is the point in dreaming about loose teeth when you are really thinking about sex? Why not just dream about sex itself? Whenever I dream about that, my mind doesn't sugar coat it, hide it, or generate some ambiguous symbolism (at least not that I am aware of).

Why be ambiguous and indirect when there is nothing preventing the mind from being blunt?

I usually enjoy recalling dreams that were either lucid or that were interrupted by external stimuli that didn't wake me up.

One dream I remember for its humor happened in college. I took an afternoon nap and started to dream that I was at a local mall with some friends. Nothing was really happening, probably because I don't like malls. Then suddenly everyone broke out into song. They sang one particular song perfectly from start to finish, complete with backup instruments which I could not see. When the song was done, everyone went back to doing what they were doing before. When I woke up, my roommate was sitting at his computer. I asked him if he played that song, and he said he had about 10 minutes ago (while I was sleeping).

I remember it well because it was really funny and because it was the first time I can recall something significant leaking into my dreams.

I can just imagine a dream interpreter going after that one. "You were in a mall because adolescent girls hang out there and you want to have sex with them. You heard music because you think women are impressed with music and you want to have sex with them. You woke up because your body wants to have sex and realizes that you can't actively pursue that goal while sleeping...

And I don't recall ever dreaming about loose teeth or cannibalism. Go figure.

 

[autumn1971]

As far as the tooth dream goes, I too have had a variation of it, with anxiety over an abnormal tooth ending in removal of said tooth, but only, as was mentioned by others, after I had experienced chipping a tooth during an ordinary activity.
As for interpretation of dreams, we must remember that our memory of a dream is no more reliable than our memory of a waking event. Indeed, it can be argued that is much less reliable. Adding to the inherant unreliability is the natural human impulse to assign a narrative to any given series of events, even if the events were not causally related.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had my experience of a dream in which I am frustratingly less mobile than normal. It seems to be a kind of analouge to sleep paralysis, only it affects my dream state instead of my waking one. As an example, I often have dreams of running away from something, and I find that I just can't make my legs move as fast as I think they should. I almost always find them slowing to a stop just as I am about to wake up (at least, I don't remember any dreams that come closer to my awakening). The other example is a dream where I can't open my eyes more than a slit, or move my head to see something. It is a very physical feeling, as of my muscles tightening without moving, not simply an inability to control my motions.

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

As far as the tooth dream goes, I too have had a variation of it, with anxiety over an abnormal tooth ending in removal of said tooth, but only, as was mentioned by others, after I had experienced chipping a tooth during an ordinary activity.
As for interpretation of dreams, we must remember that our memory of a dream is no more reliable than our memory of a waking event. Indeed, it can be argued that is much less reliable. Adding to the inherant unreliability is the natural human impulse to assign a narrative to any given series of events, even if the events were not causally related.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had my experience of a dream in which I am frustratingly less mobile than normal. It seems to be a kind of analouge to sleep paralysis, only it affects my dream state instead of my waking one. As an example, I often have dreams of running away from something, and I find that I just can't make my legs move as fast as I think they should. I almost always find them slowing to a stop just as I am about to wake up (at least, I don't remember any dreams that come closer to my awakening). The other example is a dream where I can't open my eyes more than a slit, or move my head to see something. It is a very physical feeling, as of my muscles tightening without moving, not simply an inability to control my motions.

I am no expert but those two dreams seem to me that you are not quite in full sleep mode. There is that state between where you are both awake and asleep simulateonous. Which is often when sleep paralysis occurs. Which incidentially the same thing that some people comment on and often think they are being attacked by a mythological vampire or demon.

Paralyzed
To dream that you are paralyzed, may reflect the current state of your body while you are dreaming. During the REM state of sleep you really are immobile and paralyzed. However symbolically, dreaming that you are paralyzed may mean you are feeling helpless or pinned down in some aspect or circumstances of your waking life. You may feel unable to deal with a situation or that you can't do or change anything. Alternatively, you may feel emotionally paralyzed. You may have difficulties in expressing yourself

Immobility
To dream that you are immobile, signifies feelings of being trapped or that you are rigid in your attitudes and decisions. ​

Being chased​

The pursuer or attacker who is chasing you in your dream may also represent a part of yourself. Your own feelings of anger, jealousy, fear, and possibly love, can assume the appearance of threatening figure. You may be projecting these feelings onto the unknown chaser. Next time you have a chase dream, turn around and confront your pursuer. Ask them why they are chasing you.?​

EYES​

To dream that your eyes are injured or closed, suggests your refusal to see the truth about something or the avoidance of intimacy. You may be expressing feelings of hurt, pain or sympathy.​

LEGS​

To see your legs in your dream, signifies that you have regained confidence to stand up and take control again. It also implies progress and your ability to navigate through life. If your legs are weak, then you may be feeling emotionally vulnerable. ​

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http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

Out of curiosity it appears the most common dreams are:

Naked dreams
Chase Dreams
Teeth Dreams
Flying Dreams
Falling dreams
Test dreams.

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

ohhh great. Now I'm worried about dreaming about cannibalism. Ech. Now I don't want to sleep until I forget about worrying about it.

So you don't want to know about my dreams of entrails then?

Does cannibalism bother you, or is it the dreaming of it?

 

[Crazycowbob]

ohhh great. Now I'm worried about dreaming about cannibalism. Ech. Now I don't want to sleep until I forget about worrying about it.

They're not too bad, unless your significant other wakes you up complaining about you chewing on him/her...

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

There is one question I've always had that nobody has answered adequately. Why would our minds code our dreams? What is the point in dreaming about loose teeth when you are really thinking about sex? Why not just dream about sex itself? Whenever I dream about that, my mind doesn't sugar coat it, hide it, or generate some ambiguous symbolism (at least not that I am aware of).

And I don't recall ever dreaming about loose teeth or cannibalism. Go figure.

I have gone from thinking its pure baloney to maybe there is something in this. Just got to cut through the kerfuffle first to find the truth if any. I'm going to sit on the fence with this one.

Can it be answered why our minds code something. How many times have you gone to do something and can't or have a mental block? How many times has the answer staring you in the face, yet you didn't see it? Maybe, I just think this fits the cause here, it takes something else to break stalemate created. A coded dream or odd thought might just be the key. Perhaps our minds are overloaded or consumed with one particular thing that it can't cope with it and again the way around the processing of it is to try a different avenue. We would go another route if a street was blocked by traffic would we not. Why not out minds.

Well you won't; because your happy. Damn you get miserable. See below.

To hear someone sing in your dream, signifies emotional and spiritual fulfillment. You are changing your mood and experiencing a more positive outlook in life.
Songs
To hear or write songs in your dream, indicates that you are looking at things from a spiritual viewpoint. Your future path is a happy one with good health and much wealth. Consider the words to the song that you are dreaming about for additional messages

Mall
To dream that you are at the mall, represents your attempts in making a favorable impression on someone. The mall is also symbolic of materialism and the need to keep up with the trends, fads, and/or the latest technology. ​

http://dreammoods.com/cgibin/searchcsv.pl?method=exact&header=dreamsymbol&search=singing

 

[Corpse Cruncher]

They're not too bad, unless your significant other wakes you up complaining about you chewing on him/her...

Try eating the tongue first, stops the verbal complaints at least.