Follow your dreams

Sleep could kill you faster than hunger — and other wild and dreamy facts

We do it every night, yet sleep is still one of the most mysterious parts of human life. But thanks to science, we have uncovered some of the strangest truths about what happens when we close our eyes, from sleepwalking to lucid dreaming. Here are 12 weird and wild facts about sleep and dreams, backed by real research.

Brain scans show that the brain remains active during sleep, especially during REM cycles. It continues to organize memories, regulate emotions, and solve problems even when you're unconscious.

Within 5 minutes of waking, about half of a dream is forgotten. After 10 minutes, 90% vanishes. Scientists believe dream recall fades quickly because the brain’s memory-forming regions are less active while dreaming. So, next time you have a crazy dream, write it down!

Dreams about falling often occur in the first stages of sleep and may coincide with muscle spasms called hypnic jerks. This sudden contraction is believed to be a primal reflex—ironically, an evolutionary adaptation meant to prevent falling while asleep.

It is believed that, even if you don’t remember them, strangers’ faces in dreams are real faces you’ve seen before. The brain doesn’t invent faces; it pulls from your memory bank, often from fleeting encounters you don’t consciously recall.

It might be tempting to pull an all-nighter to meet deadlines, but chronic sleep loss causes severe immune dysfunction and organ failure, making it deadlier than starvation. In lab studies, rats deprived of sleep died in about 3 weeks, while those without food lasted around 4.

Contrary to popular belief, if you’re snoring, you’re unlikely to be dreaming at that moment. Dreaming typically happens during REM sleep when muscles are relaxed, making loud snoring less common compared to deeper non-REM stages.

Some sleepwalkers can drive, cook, or even play musical instruments while asleep. During sleepwalking episodes, the brain’s motor control areas are active, but consciousness remains switched off.

Even those born blind dream, but their dreams are filled with other senses like sound, touch, smell, and emotion. Studies show that blind individuals experience more vivid sensory dreams. Their brain compensates by enhancing non-visual experiences in sleep.

Lucid dreaming is when you become aware you’re dreaming and can sometimes control the dream. Studies using EEGs show that lucid dreamers activate the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s decision-making area, during sleep.

During sleep paralysis, you’re awake but unable to move or speak—and if that isn’t terrifying enough, it often comes with vivid hallucinations. Despite this, it’s a harmless phenomenon that occurs when the brain wakes during REM sleep while the body remains paralyzed—a safety feature that normally prevents you from acting out dreams.

Studies have found a correlation between night owl tendencies and higher intelligence scores. However, being a night owl also increases risk for depression, metabolic issues, and heart disease.

Most dreams condense time, but certain dreams—especially during lucid dreaming—can unfold in real-time, matching waking perception. A 2021 study confirmed that people can answer questions with facial twitches or eye movements while actively dreaming.

Ever been on cloud nine?

Have you ever seen a storm in a teacup? Learn 12 weather-related phrases

Image: NOAA

We always talk about the weather, but, as it happens, we also use weather-related terms to talk about other things as well. From "under the weather" to "snowed under," many common phrases have surprisingly stormy origins. These sayings are part of our everyday lexicon, often without us even realizing their connection to sun, rain, wind, or snow. Which of these 12 do you use the most?

Image: Ravi Sharma

The familiar phrase "under the weather" means feeling a bit sick or unwell. It likely comes from sailors who went below deck during storms when they were seasick.

Being sheltered from harsh weather became linked to feeling ill, and over time, the phrase took on its current meaning in everyday language.

Image: Tofazzal Hossain

You have probably heard this one. "Come rain or shine" means something will happen no matter the weather or situation. It shows strong commitment and determination to follow through, despite obstacles.

The phrase began with its literal meaning (events happening in any weather) but grew to express persistence in all circumstances. It’s often used to promise support or dedication, like, "I’ll be there, come rain or shine."

Image: David Ballew

"Every cloud has a silver lining" means there’s always something good, even in tough times. It’s a reminder to stay hopeful and look for the positive in bad situations.

It is said that the phrase likely comes from John Milton’s 1634 poem Comus, where he described a dark cloud revealing a silver edge. This image became a lasting symbol of optimism during hardship.

Image: Johannes Plenio

Have you ever heard of "a storm in a teacup"? It means making a big deal out of something minor. It describes situations where small problems are blown out of proportion, causing needless drama.

The idea goes back to ancient times: Cicero used a similar phrase about stirring up waves in a ladle. The message is the same: don’t let little things cause major stress.

Image: Noah Silliman

Another classic, to "take a rain check" means turning down an offer for now but showing interest in doing it later. It’s a polite way to postpone plans without saying no entirely.

The phrase comes from 19th-century baseball, where fans got "rain checks" if games were rained out, letting them return later without extra cost.

Image: Joshua Fuller

To "get wind of something" means to hear about something, usually a secret or hidden detail, often through rumors or indirect sources. It suggests finding out information unintentionally.

The phrase comes from the idea of animals catching a scent on the wind, picking up on something not meant to be noticed.

Image: Adam Chang

When someone is "snowed under," it means that he or she is feeling overwhelmed, usually by work or responsibilities. It describes being buried by tasks to the point where it’s hard to keep up.

The phrase dates back to the late 1800s and comes from the image of being covered in heavy snow, stuck, weighed down, and unable to move freely.

Image: Max

"As right as rain" means feeling well or that something is in perfect order. It’s used to say everything is fine or back to normal.

The phrase likely began in 19th-century Britain, with rain seen as natural and refreshing. Though the exact origin is unclear, it suggests comfort and things being just as they should be.

Image: mosi knife

Everybody can recognize one: a "fair-weather friend" is someone who sticks around only when things are going well but disappears during tough times. They enjoy the good moments but aren’t there when support is needed.

The phrase dates back to the early 18th century and compares such people to those who flee when the weather, or life, gets stormy. It highlights the difference between true friends and those who vanish when challenges arise.

Image: Emmanuel Appiah

"Head in the clouds" describes someone who’s daydreaming or not paying attention to reality. It can suggest being unrealistic, distracted, or lost in thought.

The phrase comes from the image of clouds high in the sky, far from the ground, just like someone not grounded in the present. It’s a way to describe being mentally elsewhere or out of touch.

Image: Michał Mancewicz

A phrase usually employed in competitive environments or situations, to "steal someone’s thunder" means to take credit for their idea or divert attention from their achievement, often for personal gain. It’s about overshadowing someone unfairly.

Image: Raychel Sanner

To "weather the storm" means to get through a tough situation with strength and resilience. It suggests enduring hardship without serious harm.

The phrase comes from sailing, where ships had to survive harsh storms at sea. Just like sailors battling wind and waves, it reflects the ability to stay steady through life’s challenges.