Dr. Rahul Jandial: What Your Nightmares Are Trying to Tell You & How to Know Which Dreams You Need to Pay Attention to

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Do you often remember your dreams?

What was the last dream you can remember?

Today, let's welcome Dr. Rahul Jandial. Rahul is a dual-trained brain surgeon and neuroscientist based at City of Hope in Los Angeles. He leads the Jandial Lab, which explores the intersection of neurobiology and cancer. Beyond his research, Dr. Jandial is dedicated to global health, performing pediatric neurosurgery in charity hospitals across South America and Eastern Europe. He is also the author of the book "This Is Why You Dream," which delves into the science and significance of dreaming.

Jay and Rahul explore the significance of dreams and their impact on our lives, and that the brain is highly active during sleep, generating as much electricity as when awake. This activity suggests that dreaming is not a passive process but an essential function for the brain, helping it process and rehearse experiences, emotions, and creativity.

There are common themes in dreams, such as nightmares, erotic dreams, and motifs like falling or being chased. Rahul highlights that these themes are linked to the brain's imaginative and emotional networks, which are more active during dreaming. Nightmares, for instance, play a crucial role in developing a sense of self and other in children, while in adults, they can indicate unresolved emotional issues or trauma. He also discusses the concept of lucid dreaming, where one becomes aware of dreaming and can exert some control over the dream narrative.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to enhance dream recall

How to induce lucid dreaming

How to utilize dreams for creative problem solving

How to reduce nightmare in children

How to cultivate positive morning thoughts

How to improve sleep quality for better dreams

Embrace the power of your dreams to boost creativity and emotional well-being. Take the first step tonight for a healthier, more vibrant tomorrow!

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:05 Does Everyone Dream?
• 05:01 Why Do We Dream?
• 09:01 Dreams in a Scientific Perspective
• 13:30 Making Sense of a Dream
• 19:05 Sleep Entry
• 23:20 Erotic Dreams
• 29:02 Dreams Should Not be Neglected
• 32:09 Are We Meaning Makers?
• 37:02 Recurrent Dreams
• 38:36 Unwanted Recurrent Dream
• 42:11 Thoughts, Emotions, and Activities in the Brain Level
• 48:48 How Do You Explain Nightmares?
• 54:01 Task On
• 56:52 Sleep Exit
• 01:01:39 Cross Section of AI and Dreams
• 01:04:08 Can Dreams Predict the Future?
• 01:08:02 Mental Workspace in Uncertainty
• 01:12:58 Flashbacks vs PTSD
• 01:17:33 Lucid Dreaming
• 01:23:33 Can You Practice Lucid Dreaming?
• 01:25:15 The Right Approach to Understanding Dreams
• 01:47 The Dreaming Brain
• 01:33:34 When to Take a Nap
• 01:35:29 The Feeling of Falling While Asleep
• 01:37:35 Rahul on Final Five

Episode Resources:

• Dr. Rahul Jandial | Instagram
• Dr. Rahul Jandial | Facebook
• This Is Why You Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life

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