Dream glossary

alpha wavesNormal electrical brain activity associated with quiet wakefulness....
apneaA life-threatening condition where a person periodically stops breathing for so...
applied dreamingUsing dreams to accomplish a certain purpose, such as solving a problem, enhanci...
archetypesA particular type of symbol that is an iconic image or idealized version of a pe...
arousalA sudden transition from a sleep state to a waking state, or from one sleep stat...
beta wavesNormal electrical brain activity associated with active wakefulness....
bruxismGrinding or clenching teeth during sleep....
circadian rhythmsCyclical patterns or biological clock in living things, said to influence sleep ...
collective dreamingThe meaning varies, but generally involves dreams in a group context: 1) One or ...
consciousThe aspect of the mind whose activities we are directly aware of. A waking state...
delta wavesNormal electrical brain activity associated with restorative sleep, usually occu...
dialoguingA technique to assist in dream interpretation, where the dreamer creates an imag...
dream artArtwork that is based on images from dreams, or sometimes artwork with dream-lik...
dream interpretationAnalyzing a dream in an attempt to discover meaning meaning or purpose that is s...
dream journalingTracking dreams by writing descriptions of them, often used as a tool in dream i...
dream psychologyThe study of dreams and dreaming according within the framework of the science o...
dream recallThe ability to remember all or part of a dream you've had. Most people have trou...
dream therapyUsing dreams as a tool to assist in psychotherapy to help provide greater insigh...
dream typeCategory of dream, depending on dream content and structure. See also Dream Type...
dream within a dreamDreaming that you are having a dream (a dream within a dream) - can mean you fee...
hypnic jerkAn involuntary muscle contraction that occurs during the transition from the wak...
hypnogogiaThe experiences during the process of falling asleep, such as vivid impressions,...
hypnopompiaThe experiences during the process of waking up....
insomniaDifficulty going to sleep or staying asleep. Possible causes can include stress,...
intuitionInsight or inner wisdom. Direct knowing, independent of rational thought. A po...
lucid dreamA dream during which the dream is aware that they are dreaming, and often can co...
myoclonic twitchAn involuntary muscle contraction that occurs during the transition from the wak...
night sweatsSignificant sweating while sleeping, independent of ambient temperature in the r...
nightmareA frightful or unpleasant dream, often vivid, which often awakens the dreamer ou...
nocturnalOccuring at night....
NREM sleep(non-rapid eye movement) A normal phase of sleep when dreams tend not to occur....
parasomniaUnusual sleep-related disorders that disrupts sleep, including sleepwalking, sle...
phosphenesPatterns of lights or other visual images seen when the eyes are closed (without...
precognitionPrediction, or the ability to predict accurately....
predictive dreamA dream that predicts the future, where events in the dream happen in real life ...
premonitionA prediction, such as events in a dream that then happen later in real life....
psychic dreamA dream containing elements of ESP, such as accurate prediction of the future, r...
recurring dreamA dream that repeats the same or similar content on more than one occasion, usua...
REM sleep(rapid eye movement) - A phase of sleep when associated with rapid eye movements...
sleep architectureThe structure or pattern of sleep cycles through the night....
sleep hygieneThe practice of habits that result in good sleep....
sleep mentationMental and emotional processes that occur during sleep, including thoughts, imag...
sleep paralysisThe temporary sensation that the body is paralyzed just after waking or before f...
sleep terrorA sudden, partial awakening from NREM sleep, often with a feeling of fear, but w...
somnambulismA condition that involves physical activities, such as walking, being conducted ...
somniloquyTalking in one's sleep....
subconsciousThe aspect of the mind whose activities we are not directly aware of. Also the p...
symbolA unique aspect of a dream that provides clues about the meaning of the dream. E...
visionAn image or thought seen in the mind, often during a dream or altered state, ori...
waking dreamA vision or message conveyed through images or thoughts while a person is awake....