This chapter delves into the concept of bizarnas in dream research, discussing the various categories of inconsistent and unlikely elements that occur in dreams. It also examines the perception of dreaming and mind-wandering, highlighting the influence of cultural narratives and traditions on our understanding of dreams. A pilot study conducted in Tanzania on bizarre dream elements is presented, revealing the importance of cultural context in shaping our interpretation of dreams.
Many of us have had more vivid dreams and nightmares during this global pandemic. A multinational study is set to find out how COVID-19 is affecting our dreams, and whether changes to our inner consciousness could affect our mental health. Along the way researchers will investigate the mysteries of why we dream, why they are often so bizarre, and whether there’s really a difference between dreams during sleep and mind wandering.