Neuroscientist Dr. Rahul Jandial recently explained why humans experience erotic dreams and what these dreams might signify. During an interview on The School of Greatness podcast with Lewis Howes, Dr. Jandial noted that erotic dreams are not an innate part of our development but something that evolves over time. He explained that the capacity for sexual thoughts typically begins to develop around ages 11 to 13, coinciding with other neurodevelopmental changes. According to Jandial, this emergence indicates that the brain is awakening to new desires, which manifests through dreams.
Jandial’s theory suggests that erotic dreams provide insight into our desires and emotional needs. He referenced rapper J. Cole’s song “Wet Dreamz” to illustrate his point, emphasizing that these dreams are often about imagined scenarios that haven’t occurred in real life. He described erotic dreams as an embodiment of desire, representing a part of our emotional and instinctive selves that we might not recognize consciously. He argues that these dreams differ from our standard neural pathways, making them unique in their purpose and experience.
During the podcast, Dr. Jandial further explained that when we dream, our brains are in a hyper-emotional and hyper-visual state. This, he believes, allows us to access parts of ourselves that we don’t reach in waking life. He emphasized that while our waking brains are good for practical tasks and rational decisions, our dreaming brains offer glimpses into our deeper emotional state. He suggested that understanding these dreams can provide valuable insights into our wants and instincts.
Jandial’s insights suggest that dreams might influence our emotional decisions in real life. By tapping into these hyper-emotional moments, he believes we can better understand our true feelings and desires. Rather than dismissing dreams as meaningless, Jandial sees them as windows into the subconscious that can guide us toward personal and emotional growth.
