Thread: Affect of Sleeping Positions: Left Brain vs Right Brain

Originally Posted by The Cusp

I sleep on my side, and switch sides frequently throughout the night. I've noticed for awhile now that when I'm remembering a dream after waking, if I roll over onto my other side, I can't recall a single thing about it anymore.

I was experimenting with that last night and noticed something else as well. The side I sleep on seems to affect what I dream about. When I sleep on my right side, my dreams are physical, materialistic and action based. WHen I sleep on my left side, my dreams are more spiritual, abstract and concept based.

Possibly due to more blood pooling in one side of my brain from sleeping on my side?


A quick google on right brain/left brain gave me this short article.

Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Definition
This theory of the structure and functions of the mind suggests that the two different sides of the brain control two different "modes" of thinking. It also suggests that each of us prefers one mode over the other. Discussion
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides, or hemispheres, of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:

Left Brain
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts

Right Brain
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective
Looks at wholes

Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.

Are you sure this isn't a placebo affect? I'm not saying your stupid, but you can't really rule that out. You'd have to record someone else's dreams and not tell them the purpose of your experiments to really have valid results.

/2c

Snivellus...your signature F-ing scares me.


I can change it at will. =]

And I do believe in left and right brained...I just don't believe in the creative-logical theory. I think everyone can think the same way once you break things to the core.

Like Catherine, I can't make the woman switch directions no matter how hard I try (I haven't tried touching her feet yet though). I see her going clockwise though lol

As for sleeping positions... I move around a lot in my sleep, so I prefer to sleep either on a small area of floor or the couch (which limits how much I toss and turn). But no matter where I sleep, I almost always enter sleep lying on my stomach with my hands under my thighs (I've done that since I was a kid to keep them warm lol). I switch sides of my head frequently though but tend to favor my right (but I wake up with horrific outer ear pain if I don't switch in my sleep no matter the ear).
I can fall alseep easily anywhere though. I often fall asleep while playing video games, sitting up. And until I got on Provigil a few years ago, I would fall asleep while driving or stressed too.
I'm like a contortionist sometimes lol. When I was having my sleep study done I couldn't sleep on my stomach, so I switched to my second favored position... a ball on my right side with my head using my left arm as a pillow (until this month, I've never been able to use real pillows- I prefer being FLAT).
Position doesn't seem to influence my dreams or my recall. But if I get up too quickly I tend to forget my dreams quickly.
Interesting idea though.