In the early 20th Century Sigmund Freud referred to dreams as the royal road to the unconscious. He gave his own interpretations of dreams on the basis of our repressed desires, especially the sexual urge. Today it is generally held that Freud s interpretation of dreams was overly simplified. Dreams are often a response to our daily thoughts, activities and sensations. They are often, then, a reflection of what has consumed our minds in the preceding day or two.
Dreams are apparently a necessary part of our being.
It is during REM that dreams occur. The depriving of the ability to dream resulted in marked personality changes in such subjects. They became increasingly abrasive and anxious and found it difficult to concentrate. It was also shown that the younger a person is, the more important dreams are to their well being. Scientific studies have resulted in some universally accepted conclusions about dreams.