Although Disney taught us “a dream is a wish your heart makes,” in real life (#IRL) our midnight mind wanderings and their meanings aren’t all that straightforward. In fact, if you’re anything like me, a dream – whether sappy, sad, or frightening – is moreso a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
READ: 5 Habits To Kick For A Better Night’s Sleep
How Food Plays a Part in What You Dream
Food can influence dreams — but mostly indirectly. Strongest evidence points to foods that disturb digestion or blood sugar (which fragment REM sleep and increase dream recall/intensity) and nutrients that alter neurotransmitters involved in sleep (notably tryptophan → serotonin → melatonin). Most human work is correlational (surveys) or small lab studies — causal claims are still limited.
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Digestive discomfort → more vivid/negative dreams. Foods that cause GERD, gas, bloating or other GI distress (e.g., dairy for lactose-intolerant people, very fatty or spicy meals) are linked with poorer sleep quality and more bizarre or disturbing dreams — likely because micro-awakenings and fragmented REM make dreams more likely to be recalled and more emotionally negative. Recent survey work found an association between late-night dairy (esp. in lactose-intolerant individuals) and nightmares. PMC+1
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Blood sugar and meal timing matter. Large late meals or sugary desserts can cause nocturnal blood-sugar swings and arousals that fragment REM, increasing dream vividness or recall. Systematic reviews of diet and sleep discuss carbohydrate timing and REM sleep effects. PMC+1
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Tryptophan (and related chemistry) can change sleep architecture. Tryptophan is the amino acid precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Experimental work shows tryptophan intake (or depletion) changes sleepiness and some REM features — theoretically able to influence dreaming content and frequency, though links to specific dream themes are weak. PMC+1
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Stimulants and depressants alter dreaming. Caffeine reduces total sleep time/REM and can reduce dream recall while alcohol fragments REM (after initial sedation), often producing vivid or unpleasant dreams during withdrawal nights
So when you dream, are you constantly faced with death? Maybe you’re in a business meeting in your birthday suit butt naked? Maybe you keep dreaming about your no-good ex? No matter the scenario, we’ve got you covered with quick tips on interpreting visions, courtesy of Lauri Loewenberg, author of So What Did You Dream Last Night? and founder of thedreamzone.com.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business.
What Your Most Common Dreams Mean
If you Dream About… Falling
Lauri Loewenberg tells Today.com that this dream is a “red flag from your subconscious.” According to Loewenberg, this REM sleep vision is common in people facing a major life crisis in “finances, a relationship, or their career.” It can also signal depression.
Take this dream as a sign to “redirect the situation immediately! Falling dreams are also common for people who suffer from depression.”
If You Dream About… Showing up to Work or School Naked
This dream represents vulnerability and anxiety. According to research, this dream is common for people who have recently started a new chapter in their life, for instance, a promotion at work.
Use this dream as a time reasses where you are in life and where you want to go. Sometimes, it may take you taking a hard (and honest) look at your life–including the missteps that got you there– in order to move forward towards your dreams.
If You Dream About… Dying
This is by far the most disturbing dream of all. Loewenberg suggests that death dreams are actually about “changes, endings and letting go.” If you dream about someone you love dying, say your child, for instance, it’s not a warning of what’s to come but rather a reflection of how you feel about a season he or she has entered. Milestones such as learning to ride a bike, potty training or starting at a new school often trigger these dreams.
READ: Sweet Dreams: Foods That Promote Quality Sleep
Meanwhile, dreaming of your own demise indicates the tide is turning – you’re about to emerge into the new you. In other words, it’s not the body but the end of your current life as you know it.
If You Dream About… Your Spouse Cheating on You
No! Dreaming about your partner having a steamy affair is NOT reasonable grounds to swipe and search your man’s phone. According to Loewenberg, “The cheating dream happens when your mate is spending too much time and attention on something that does not involve you.” On the other hand, this dream should not be ignored, as it may be hinting at a lack of trust in a romantic relationship.
If You Dream About… Being Chased
While being chased may feel like a Nightmare on Elm Street, when someone or something is hot on your heels, it’s a good indication that you’re avoiding something #IRL. Loewenberg advises you to ask yourself, “Self, am I trying to avoid a confrontation with someone? Am I trying to get out of a responsibility or obligation? Or is there something from my past that I’m afraid might catch up with me?”
Whatever the case may be, this dream should encourage you to face that situation you’ve been avoiding – or make something right. “Stop running! Face the situation. Get it over with, otherwise, the issue will continue to follow you … and so will your “being chased” dreams,” Loewenberg continues.
If You Dream About… Being Pregnant, When in Fact, You’re Not
Dreaming about being pregnant can mean a lot of things. Here’s what it could mean:
1. Symbol of Growth, Creation, or New Beginnings
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Psychological meaning: Pregnancy in dreams often represents a new idea, project, relationship, or phase of personal growth that’s still “forming.”
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Example: You might be nurturing a new business, artistic endeavor, or part of yourself — and your subconscious uses pregnancy as a metaphor for creation and anticipation.
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Support: Carl Jung and other depth psychologists described pregnancy dreams as signs of creative incubation — a symbol of inner development before “birthing” something new into the world.
2. Emotional Readiness or Transformation
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Dreaming of pregnancy can reflect emotional maturation — readiness to care for something or someone, or to commit to a long-term goal.
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You may be integrating a new identity or preparing for major change.
3. Anxiety, Responsibility, or Fear of Change
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Sometimes pregnancy dreams reflect stress or fear — especially if the dream felt uncomfortable.
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This may mean you’re worried about new responsibilities or feeling “burdened” by a growing obligation.
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Example: dreaming you’re pregnant but don’t want to be could indicate feeling overwhelmed by something you’ve started or committed to.
