One of the most strange things about life is dreams. They take us to other places, remind us of the past, and sometimes make no sense.
But have you ever thought about how Blind People Experience Dreams? When people can see dreams, they see clear pictures. What do people who have never seen before dream about?
Many people have the wrong idea that blind people might not think at all. Their dreams are just as full of detail, feeling, and depth as real life; they’re just different.
They might not see things in their dreams; instead, they might have strong feelings, smells, and even sounds.
Scientists and researchers have looked into this interesting subject, and what they found will shock you! Now, let’s look into the truth about how blind people think.
Do Blind People Dream?
Yes, blind people dream, too, just like normal people. Since the brain, not the eyes, makes dreams, even people who have been blind since birth can have them.
However, how blind people dream depends on whether they were born blind or lost their sight later in life.
Congenitally Blind (Born Blind)
When someone has been blind since birth, they don’t see things in their thoughts. But instead, their dreams are full of other senses, such as
- Sound: Voices, sounds from the surroundings, and even music are important.
- Touch: Most people can feel different textures, temperatures, and movements.
- Smell: Some people say they smell strong things in their dreams, like flowers, food, or places they know.
- Taste: Some blind people dream about eating and can remember how certain things taste.
- Emotions: In dreams, feelings can be stronger than when awake.
Blind After Birth
When people lose sight later in life, they often keep seeing things in their dreams. These pictures may fade over time, but many people remember having some visual dream for years. Their dreams might also have both visual and non-visual parts.
How Are Dreams Different for Blind People?
Dreams mirror what you do, think, and remember during the day. People who are blind depend on their other senses, so their thoughts are based on those senses. This is how their dreams are different:
1. Sounds that are stronger
People who are blind often have better hearing. In their dreams, they may hear talks, nature sounds, or even specific tones and pitches more clearly than people who can see.
2. A better sense of touch
Touch is an important part of navigating in real life and a big part of dreams. People who are blind may think that they can touch things, feel their textures, or sense vibrations.
3. Strong Smells and Tastes
Researchers have found that blind people dream of smelling and tasting better. They can remember the smell of rain, new flowers, or their favorite food.
4. Dreams with more feelings and stories
People who are blind may dream more about feelings and stories and fix problems when they can’t see anything else. Some people say that their dreams are more real or have more value.
What Science Says About Blind People’s Dreams
Brain Activity During Sleep
Researchers have found that the brains of blind and sighted people are similarly active during REM sleep, which is when people dream. This shows that dreams aren’t just based on sight but on more than one sense.
Study on Dream Frequency and Content
A study released in 2014 in the journal Sleep Medicine found that blind people dream just as often as sighted people, but their dreams are less about seeing things and more about other senses.
The study also found that blind people have more dreams, which may be because of the difficulties they face in their daily lives.
The Role of Memory in Dreams
People who go blind later in life may still see things in their dreams for a while because the brain remembers pictures from the past. Some parts of their dreams may fade over time, but other feelings stay strong.
Common Myths About Blind People’s Dreams
Myth 1: People who are blind don’t dream.
This is not true. There are dreams for everyone, even those who can’t see. The brain, not the eyes, is where dreams come from.
Myth 2: Dreams of blind people are dark and empty
Dreams of “blackness” don’t happen to blind people. Instead, they use their main senses to think, like smell, sound, and touch.
Myth 3: People who are blind can’t have bad dreams.
Some blind people do have bad dreams. Studies show that they have more nightmares and that the dreams usually involve fears like being lost, falling, or being in danger.
How Do Blind People Describe Their Dreams?
People who are blind say that their dreams are very real, with lots of sounds, textures, feelings, and even smells. Some people say their dreams are more like real life, while others say they are more surreal.
Here are some real-life stories from blind people:
- “Sounds and touch are big parts of my dreams.” I can clearly hear words and feel things like water or wood.
- “My dreams make me feel a lot of things.” Like in real life, I’m happy, scared, or excited.
- “The smells and sounds around me help me figure out where I am in my dreams, but I can’t see.”
Conclusion
Even though they dream differently, blind people have vivid dreams. Their dreams are about sound, touch, taste, and emotions, not pictures.
Whether someone is born blind or loses their vision later in life affects how they dream, but everyone experiences dreaming differently.
Science still studies dreams, revealing that the brain can create complex, vivid experiences without sight. So the next time you wonder about dreams, remember that blind people dream too, and their world is just as intriguing!
Source:
Raypole, C. (2019, August 5). Yes, blind people dream, too. Healthline.
NVISION Eye Centers. (2024, October 31). How do blind people experience their dreams? – NVISION. NVISION.
Gregory, A. (2023, July 12). Do blind people see in their dreams? BBC Science Focus Magazine.
