02 November 2003
02nov03
A PERTH scientist's theory about dreaming pours cold water on the idea that we dream because we are distressed.
In a book to be released in Australia this month he gives scientific substance to the idea that "sleeping on it" can produce creative solutions to problems.
Until now, scientists believed scraps of stored memory, known as "spurious memories", were pruned out during sleep.
But Dr Christos's theory suggests the opposite is true – dreaming generates SMs that may be the basis of our creative ideas.
"There are all sorts of fanciful theories about why we dream, from keeping the eyes wet and the brain warm, to erection theories," he said. "But they do not incorporate all of the neurobiological, neurochemical, neurophysiological and cognitive evidence known about dream sleep."
He said SMs enabled new ideas to be generated from existing memory.
"SMs are necessary for the brain to learn something new," he said. "Without them the brain would only be able to recall already-stored information, like a tape recorder, and we wouldn't be able to adapt to new situations."
The theoretical physicist, who studies neural networks at Curtin University, uses mathematical models to prove his theory.
His book, Memory and Dreams: The Creative Human Mind, has been acclaimed by Harvard dream expert Professor Allan Hobson and US Sudden Infant Death expert Professor Warren Guntheroth, among others. STORIES IN THIS SECTION  Land runs out after WA boomWe've lost faith in justice: HancockWalker on track for asthmaFuel war to hit small retailerMarathon hero beats doctorsChildless pair seek egg donorCommando call lures 77 in WAEnd of goodwill road, say school bus ownersDreams make us creativeUnplanned delay in building boomBeach watch for illegal haulsAsbestos victims chase compoBikies praise jury over bombing verdictRotto swim may be splitGovt won't back down on election campaign handoutCar risk at rail stationsAll wrong at Wright LakeRoad cheats must pay upBirthday girl Cosima feels `mountain high'Bald spots will vanishHow our kids risk death in night racesHome bowled for $1.3m
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