Discover 9 Crazy Things That Happen While You Snooze

Everyone knows that going to bed shouldn't be a drag. Does your body ever do anything interesting when it's in a haze of serotonin? Read on for the lowdown on the wild side of slumber! The typical person has as many as six dreams every night, for a grand total of two thousand dreams every year. Is there a catch? An astounding eighty percent of these bedtime tales slip our minds. But hold on a second, the mystery isn't over yet; instead, let's get down to the nine wild things your body does when you're in Mr. Sandman's embrace.

1. Meditation

Imagine your brain donning a miniature bathrobe, slicing cucumbers onto its neurons, and setting the mood for some calming Zen music. While you're sleeping, your brain has a mini-spa day, according to researchers at "Brain Central" (really, it's simply the University of Rochester). The glymphatic system, which is like a personal detox for your brain, starts working and gets rid of all the junk from the day, preserving only the important information. "Calm down, I'm going through a detox!" your brain is telling you.

Anybody ever stop to think about what happened to those dreams? They are, in fact, the special guests led out of the facility each night for this cognitive cleaning. By purging all but the most joyful thoughts from your head, it's like Marie Kondo-ing your closet.

2. Head Explosion Saga

The evening's featured attraction, Exploding Head Syndrome, is here, so let's speak about him. The dreamlike state that certain fortunate people achieve while slumbering is the subject, not an action flick. Envision yourself roused from a slumber by a digital fireworks display, complete with booming booms and shimmering lights! Before you freak out, know that it's simply your head performing a rock concert, and nothing is really going boom.

But hold on a second, I've got the joke for you: you believe you made it through a major battle, but then you realize, "Nah, I was just being imaginative!"

Let's dissect the dreaming memory rollercoaster, which brings us to our third point. Are you attempting to decipher your dreams? Warning: even your brain is confused! Your dreams are like a mixtape of yesterday's leftovers—a collection of your best songs, but with a little extra shake and stir added in.

3. Has the stock market ever been a topic of conversation in your dream when you're having a picnic with a giraffe?

Yes, that is your mind attempting to arrange your ideas into a work of art reminiscent of Picasso. If you ever find yourself wondering why you were on a unicycle with Einstein in your dream, just say it was because your inner DJ was playing the most bizarre music.

4. Love In the Dark:

An underappreciated fact: going to bed at the same time every night is the best kind of date night! Apparently, your body throws a bash with enhanced blood flow to the intimate areas during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You have racy dreams and don't even realize it!

You can express your gratitude to your dream cupid for arranging a love story that even Shakespeare would be envious of when you awaken with a smile. Your fantasies are more romantic than any Hollywood blockbuster, so forget about romantic dinners under the stars.

5. Grind 'n' Shine Teeth

Have you ever woken up with a jaw that seems like it's trying to pull itself together? Bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding during sleeping, is to blame. Finding respite from stress? Seems more like jaw exercises every night! Your brain uses it as a means of releasing tension; who knew your teeth could double as stress balls?

Remember that your teeth are the undisputed champions of stress reduction the next time you wake up with a jaw that looks like it's been through a few rounds in the ring.

6. A mini-snoring concert is created when your throat muscles relax just before sleep.

Nose blockage solos included! It's like having your very own sleep orchestra! Your body's way of preparing for sleep, filling your bedroom with the gentle sound of sawing logs.

The eerie stillness that follows the jarring sound of an unknown noise upon awakening. You snored like a symphony during intermission, spoiler alert!

7. Let's dispel a myth

Sleep is where you grow, not growth spurt magic. Forget spinach. The "secret sauce," or human growth hormone, is a powerful factor in the regenerative processes of many tissues, including bone, muscle, and skin. Not only are you dreaming, but you're also growing—vertically!—an inch or two!

You are the unsung hero of the growth spurt world, so the next time someone makes fun of your tall dream self, simply explain that it's just your evening stretch routine.

8. Eye Tango Tango

Your eyes are like the sprinters in the sleep Olympics. During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, they race around like crazy, zigzagging from one spot to another as if competing in a dance-off. Yours faithfully, my eyes! Your eyes are dancing in a dream world, completely oblivious to your reality.

If you ever wake up with the sensation that your eyes have been to a dance party, simply remember that they were merely practicing their moves while you slept.

9. Limbo Limbs

Envision this: you're longing to soar above the sky, but your limbs are immobilized! During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, your muscles are able to put an end to any violent movements, such as striking, kicking, or trying to land like a superhero. "Dream all you want, but leave the acrobatics to the pros." Your body is trying to tell you that.

The trick, though, is that conditions like narcolepsy can cause you to feel paralyzed for a long time after you wake up. Picture yourself as a superhero stranded in invisible quicksand when you wake up - a terrifying yet oddly hilarious scenario.

You now have the inside scoop on your body's nightly comic performance! Everything from romantic soirées to brain spas takes place during sleep. Cheers to many more nights of belly-aching laughter as you enjoy the enigma and marvel at the ridiculousness.