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How do blind people dream?

Published in Dreams and Blindness 2 mins read

A blind person's dreams often involve heightened senses of sound, touch, taste, and smell, and they may experience more dreams about movement or travel.

Here's a more detailed look:

  • Sensory Experiences: Unlike sighted people who primarily rely on visual imagery in their dreams, blind individuals often experience richer sensory input from other senses. They may dream more vividly about sounds, textures, smells, and tastes.

  • Dreams of Movement: Some studies suggest that blind individuals, particularly those blind from birth, have more dreams about movement or travel. This could be because their waking lives involve a greater awareness of their physical environment and how they navigate it.

  • Nightmares: The provided reference also mentions that blind people may experience more nightmares. The reason for this isn't explicitly stated, but it's possible that navigating a world not designed for the blind can lead to increased anxiety and stress, which could manifest in nightmares.

  • Dreams and Onset of Blindness: The content of dreams can vary depending on when a person lost their sight. Individuals who were once sighted may still have visual elements in their dreams for some time, although these may fade over time and be replaced by other sensory experiences. Those born blind will typically not have visual imagery in their dreams.

  • Individual Variation: It's important to remember that everyone's dreams are unique. The content and characteristics of a blind person's dreams can vary significantly based on their individual experiences, personality, and other factors.

In summary, blind people's dreams adapt to their sensory experiences in waking life, emphasizing senses other than sight, and perhaps including more dreams of movement.

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