Remembering Lost Dreams While Dreaming

**Sweet Dreams** · 01-13-2011 11:12 AM

Sometimes I feel like I lose a memory of a dream I recently had, or even become unaware of an older dream that I had months or years ago. However, when I start falling asleep and begin to experience a dream state, I find my recall of other dreams to be higher. I could suddenly remember a detail I had forgotten or remember an entire dream I failed to recall. I'm intrigued by this because I could easily be imagining all this but the feeling is that I am literally recalling real dream experiences.

It seems possible because dreaming is a state and states trigger memories experienced within them. The potentialities can be huge.

I'm thinking when we are apt lucid dreamers, it could be possible that we use our dreams as states where we can recall "lost" dreams.

Has anyone had an experience like this, or better yet, successfully tried recalling a dream while in a dream? What are your thoughts on this?

**nina** · 01-13-2011 03:19 PM

It is most natural to recall things while in the same state of mind they were created. For example, a lot of people who use certain substances will forget about what happened during their trip, but when they take the substance another time, they will suddenly remember what occurred during their last trip. And when you study for an exam, you are supposed to attempt to recreate as many sensations (smell, music, etc.) when taking the exam to help you recall better. So yes, I absolutely do think that one could remember "forgotten" dreams while entering or leaving the dream state. Possibly even during the dream state, though I imagine most people are too distracted by the new dream to think about an old one, though it could still spark a memory. Perhaps this is the culprit behind recurring dreams as well?

**Mairmalade** · 01-13-2011 04:12 PM

I normally recall my dreams when something similar to what I couldn't remember happens (whether that's in a dream or in waking life).

I have these periods that can last about a week where I remember having a dream every night and remember the basic outlines of each of my dreams. Sometimes I can make links to all of these, and when I forget one or two only hours (sometimes minutes) upon waking it can get frustrating (I know I should write everything down right away, but sometimes I can't push myself to do that in the middle of the night).

Anyway, when that does happen I've noticed that sometimes in the following nights, pieces will come back to me while dreaming because of those specific links. I suppose that's only natural, and seems highly possible to remember forgotten dreams in the dreaming state. Even more so when your dreams reflect situations or even emotions in day to day life somehow and you can piece together what your dream may be a representation of.

**CaLeB-** · 01-14-2011 05:45 AM

Happened to me a few times before, including just last night. Sometimes, a dream even continues from where you left off last time. Be aware, though, that some of these could be false memories created to fit the dream.

**Sweet Dreams** · 01-14-2011 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Aquanina

Possibly even during the dream state, though I imagine most people are too distracted by the new dream to think about an old one, though it could still spark a memory. Perhaps this is the culprit behind recurring dreams as well?

That's a legitimate recurring dream theory right there. And I agree, I was thinking we get way too caught up in the dream to take the time and ponder on our older dreams unless they were significant experiences. Still, I think if we want to explore an old dream a little more, this could be a pretty neat method.

Originally Posted by Mairmalade

I normally recall my dreams when something similar to what I couldn't remember happens (whether that's in a dream or in waking life).

I have these periods that can last about a week where I remember having a dream every night and remember the basic outlines of each of my dreams. Sometimes I can make links to all of these, and when I forget one or two only hours (sometimes minutes) upon waking it can get frustrating (I know I should write everything down right away, but sometimes I can't push myself to do that in the middle of the night).

Anyway, when that does happen I've noticed that sometimes in the following nights, pieces will come back to me while dreaming because of those specific links. I suppose that's only natural, and seems highly possible to remember forgotten dreams in the dreaming state. Even more so when your dreams reflect situations or even emotions in day to day life somehow and you can piece together what your dream may be a representation of.

That's what I deal with almost every night, and I find myself remembering things with triggers in the day the same way you do, or while falling back asleep, or especially while writing them down.

Originally Posted by CaLeB-

Be aware, though, that some of these could be false memories created to fit the dream.

I agree about false memories, but sometimes a memory is a part of the dream to have it, don't you think?