Question

Compare "daydreaming" (fantasizing) with dreaming that occurs while asleep. Briefly describe the activity that takes place in the brain during "daydreaming" and how it compares to dreaming while sleeping.

Answer 1

Daydreaming is a dreaming which happens when we are awake and dreaming that happens when we are sleeping occurs in REM sleep. In this state we are not awake.

Thinking that we have become rich and we have access to all materialistic things, while in reality if the same is not true then this dreaming about becoming rich is a day dreaming. It is more likely to escaping from reality which can hamper us.

However we do not have any control on dreams when we are sleeping. It is basically happened at subconscious level.

A collection of brain region called as DMN i.e. default mode network is active when a person daydream. It also allows us to perform tasks on autopilot. DMN lit up only when brain in idle state. It also consume high energy of brain as other external tasks do.

During REM sleep brain is completely active. The limbic system in the mid brain deals with emotions in dreaming and includes amygdala. The cortex is responsible for content of dreams.