Many people believe that they don't dream. The fact is that most of us dream several times while we are asleep, but some people don't remember their dreams. In regular conditions the brain goes through the REM cycle, or rapid eye movement, in which we produce dreams, around 3 to 5 times per night. A factor that may affect the structure of sleep is alcoholism. Others are insomnia, and some organic reasons that decrease the quality of sleep and the production of melatonin. This is a hormone released by the pineal gland that promotes sleep.
With a little effort, we can retrieve our dreams under normal circumstances. Sometimes being too goal-oriented and excessively rational may cut off the connection with unconscious contents. According to Clarissa Pinkola Estés, in In the House of the Riddle Mother: The Most Common Archetypal Motifs in Women's Dreams, the first step is to invite your psyche to be visited by a dream. In other words, setting the intention will promote psychic movement and engagement. Also, keeping a pencil and a notebook to write them down before major movements in the morning is important or the images will vanish. Jotting down a few words may help. And lastly, Pinkola Estés suggests trying 50 mg of Vitamin B6 to increase the chance to remember your dreams. Make sure it is safe for you to take supplements. In her case, only 25 mg helped. In case you don't remember your dreams, you might try out of curiosity!
