In total, all our nightly dreams last about 90 minutes. Their duration depends on age. In newborns, dreams make up 60% of their total sleep time, while in adults it is only 20%.
Most likely, they form in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is not the visual cortex that processes visual information while awake. That is, dreams are an integral process; they reflect our interaction with the environment.
When we dream, the brain analyzes large amounts of acquired knowledge and then deduces general rules and patterns. It helps us find solutions to problems that previously seemed unsolvable.
Sleep improves memory, and its absence leads to serious impairment of cognitive processes.
In addition to their role in memory processing, dreams are also hypothesized to play a role in emotional regulation.
Lack of sleep reduces resistance to disease. During sleep, neurotransmitters are produced - special chemicals that, like a conductor, make our body work smoothly, like a clock. Therefore, the immune system is in great need of sleep. People who sleep well get sick less.