Thread: Sleeping on your back makes you dream more?

I don't know about you guys, but whenever I sleep on my back it seems the percentages that i WILL dream goes up amazingly. When i sleep on my side I don't have as many dreams, esp. when i wake up in the morning and I move to my side, its like i won't have a dream, but if I move to sleep on my back, I have a dream awaiting in 10. I don't like sleeping on my back, its just kind of uncomfortable. But I'm wondering if the same happens for you guys at all? And if it does do any of you know the reason?

Originally Posted by Dewitback

I don't know about you guys, but whenever I sleep on my back it seems the percentages that i WILL dream goes up amazingly. When i sleep on my side I don't have as many dreams, esp. when i wake up in the morning and I move to my side, its like i won't have a dream, but if I move to sleep on my back, I have a dream awaiting in 10. I don't like sleeping on my back, its just kind of uncomfortable. But I'm wondering if the same happens for you guys at all? And if it does do any of you know the reason?

Dunno but I certainly snore more on my back. Maybe there's a link between dreaming and snoring

i think its because its harder to fall asleep when you lay on your back than on your front because your eyes more naturally close when your on your front than on your back...

meaning you dream more because your body isnt entirely asleep and (i'm guessing) that its because the muscles needed to keep your eyes closed are working harder making it easier to influence rapid eye movement....

Originally Posted by Burned up

Maybe there's a link between dreaming and snoring

Actually, snoring is how you know someone's not dreaming. I don't know why, but when someone snores, they're not dreaming.

I have just as many dreams on my back as not on my back, but i seem to have more vivid dreams on my back.

Originally Posted by b12

Actually, snoring is how you know someone's not dreaming. I don't know why, but when someone snores, they're not dreaming.

No way, well then my dad must never dream...

Actually, snoring is how you know someone's not dreaming.

According to this snoring can happen in both REM and Non-REM stages.

As for dreaming more while lying on your back, how do you KNOW you're on your back while you're dreaming? I most always start out on my back, but end up mostly waking up on my stomach - just seems more natural for some reason (even though its not necessarily more comfortable).

i always as well, sleep on my back of a night and seem to get into the dream world alot easy, i guess because i can picture myself rising out and going into the wonderful land of dreams, but in the morning i am always in a different position,because i have been told i try to fight the evil badies in my dream(thanks to my girlfriend) so i am always in a different spot, although when i dont have dreams i dont move so i dont know if maybe when i hit the stages of sleep i might move around or what.

I just woke up from another dream while sleeping on my back and had to search for"dream more sleeping on my back".This is where I ended up.I also find sleeping on my back a bit uncomfortable but had a knee injury recently and just cannot stay on my side without pain.Most of my dreams are actually pretty cool but I'm always waking up and miss the solid,virtually dream free,sleeping on the side days.Not sure why on the back=much dreamin but I sure hope my knee heals soon.

I always dream vividly and sleep lightly on my back. I will generally wake up within an hour or two disorientated and/or with a neck ache.

Seems clear that it does make a difference based simply on the fact that people have taken note of it. With all things equal (diet, stress, etc.) I have noticed that whenever I doze off on my back, dreams are more prevalent.
- Sleep apnea could be a factor.
- Blood distribution could be a factor. Similar to when you stand too quickly and get lightheaded. It would be a minimal amount, but gravity does affect blood flow. Sleeping on your back would mean a slightly larger concentration of blood in the back of the brain (which is where most primal functions occur).
- Equilibrium could be a factor. Where your ears are in relation to the ground affect your balance. Whether sleeping on your stomach or your side, either your left ear is above your right ear (or vice versa) depending on how you lay your head on the pillow. You can see how this affects balance by simply trying to walk across the room with your head tipped to either the left or right (one ear higher than the other). You'll find that your balance is slightly affected and you tend to hobble while you walk. Conversely, while sleeping on your back, both ears are equally balanced in relation to gravity (closer to their normal state during waking activity). This may also account for why it's easier for some people to have OBEs and lucid dreams sleeping on their backs, simply because the feeling of the body in motion is more normalized due to equilibrium.
- Lastly, a primal concern for the body may be a factor. If you look at most animals in the wild, they curl their bodies inward when they sleep. This is due in part to conserve heat and space, but also I suspect in part to protect the vital organs and extremities of the body. A tip for hikers while camping in areas where falling rocks pose a danger is to sleep on their sides. The logic being that if they are struck, hopefully less damage to the body will occur because less of it is exposed. A test you can do regarding this primal directive is, lay on your back and take stock of your body. Then, cross your hands across your chest (chances are you will feel slightly more secure). Then, fold your arms across your chest (even more secure). Then, roll onto your side and draw your legs in a bit, fetal-like (still even more secure). If you sleep on your back, vital organs exposed, the psychological aspect of that sense of body insecurity could aide in producing nightmares.

An interesting topic. Almost every time I wake up from a nightmare, I have moved from my usual sideways sleeping position to be lying on my back. Either rolling over onto my back induces a state where I am more likely to experience a nightmare, or having a nightmare makes me roll onto my back.

personally for me nearly every time i have fallen asleep on my back i have had a lucid dream. However it is extremly difficult for me to fall asleep on my back cuz like you guys have mentioned i am more aware. But if i somehow pull it off i usually have a lucid dream.

Y'all would likely be better off starting a new thread. This one has been dormant for some time and most of the users, including the OP, have been inactive for years.