Dream Facts
True of False:
12% of people dream entirely in black and white.
True
Older generations do this more than younger ones. A study shows that before color television, only 15% of people dreamt in color.
True or False:
Humans spend one-sixth of their lives asleep
False: Humans spend one-third of their lives asleep
On average, about 33% of our lives are spent in bed. Learn more about your life in numbers to know how you spend the rest of your life.
True or False
Humans may be the only mammals that delay sleep
True
Unlike animals, we usually choose to push bedtime later. Called revenge bedtime procrastination, we often feel like sleeping later can help us gain more control of our day.
True or False
Giraffes need 12 hours of sleep a day
False: Giraffes need less than 2 hours of sleep a day
The least amount of sleep any mammal needs. We’re sure we’d all love to be able to function on little sleep!
True or False
Somniphobia is the fear of falling asleep
True
An anxiety-driven sleep disorder usually caused by trauma, sleep paralysis or nightmares, it can cause panic attacks and a complete avoidance of sleep.
You will usually have 1 dream per night
False: You will usually have 4–6 dreams a night
Most adults cycle through REM several times, dreaming on and off throughout the night. Oftentimes, dreams only last minutes, and chances are, you’ll forget them by morning.
True or False:
Some deaf people use sign language in their sleep
True
There have been reports of sign language in sleep, and it’s completely normal. Similar to talking in your sleep, sign language is naturally integrated for those who are deaf, so it can appear in their dreams, causing subtle hand and finger movements.
True or False:
Sleeping on your side can hurt digestion
False: Sleeping on your side can help digestion
Lying on your left side can ease heartburn and acid reflux because of the way your stomach and oesophagus are positioned. Gravity helps keep stomach acid lower in the digestive tract, making reflux less likely.
True or False
Koalas sleep up to 22 hours daily
True
They beat even the laziest humans and make it number one on our list of the animals that sleep the most.
True or false
Pain tolerance increases when you’re sleep deprived
False: Pain tolerance drops when you’re sleep deprived
Research suggests that cutting a person’s sleep in half dramatically reduces pain threshold, although it’s not 100% clear why.
True or False:
Within 1 minute of waking up, 100% of your dream is forgotten
False: Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten
After an additional 5 minutes, up to 90% is gone. Freud thought dreams represented repressed thoughts, but it’s more likely because our brains get busy as soon as we wake. Learn more about why we forget our dreams.
True or False
1 in 8 married couples sleep in separate beds
False: 1 in 4 married couples sleep in separate beds
And for many, it actually helps them sleep better. Dr Sarah Brewer told us why this might actually be a good thing.
True or False
Up to 25% of people are sleepwalkers
False: Up to 15% of people are sleepwalkers
Sleepwalking can be harmless, but severe cases can be dangerous. If you find someone sleepwalking, don’t wake them; instead, gently direct them back into bed.
True or False
Dolphins and whales sleep with only half their brain at a time
True
This allows them to keep swimming and come up for air periodically while asleep.
True or False:
Sleeping with a light on can interfere with sleep
True
While most say that sleeping with a light on is harmless, it can actually increase the risk of awakenings. Instead, it’s best to sleep in a room that’s as dark as possible.
True or False:
Those born blind dream with sounds, smells, and emotions
True
So, yes, blind people do dream; they just experience them differently. The timing of blindness in a person’s life also affects how their dreams play out.
True or False:
Sleep position may reveal personality
True
This is also according to Professor Idzikowski. He suggests that those who sleep in the foetal position “may appear tough but are actually sensitive souls right to their core.” Not only does it determine who you are, but your sleeping position may affect your dreams, too.
True or False
Women need more sleep than men
True
Yes, you heard right. Some studies suggest women may need slightly more sleep, on average, about 10–15 minutes more than men.
True or False
Cats sleep for half of their lives
False: Cats sleep for two-thirds of their lives
This will come as no surprise to most cat owners. Every sofa is a sofa bed to them. Otherwise, they can be found on your favorite seat or keyboard.
True or False
Hypnic jerks are those sudden jolts as you fall asleep
True
They’re harmless, but caffeine, anxiety, or late exercise can increase their occurrence. They’re also more frequent in young people and decrease as we age.
True or False:
Food can affect your dreams
True
Sugar may bring vivid dreams, while greasy foods can make it harder to sleep as your body works to digest them. What you eat can affect both the quality of your sleep and your dreams. Learn more about how your diet can help you sleep.
True or False
Falling asleep should take 5 minutes
False: Falling asleep should take 10–20 minutes
Less than 5 minutes? Chances are, you’re sleep deprived. If it takes you longer, take a look at our article on how to sleep better at night for tips to fall and stay asleep.
True or False
Snoring does not impact sleep
False: Snoring can signal health issues
Light snoring is common, but loud, frequent snoring may point to sleep apnea. For tips on how to stop, read our guide on ways to prevent snoring naturally.
True or False
Sea otters hold hands while sleeping
True
This prevents them from drifting apart and getting separated due to the water’s currents.
True or False
You eat spiders in your sleep.
False: You do NOT eat spiders in your sleep
Ever heard the saying that you eat 8 spiders in your sleep during your life? Well, it’s not true. There’s no evidence that a spider crawls into your mouth at night, let alone that you swallow one.