15: Problem-Solving in Dreams – Does “Sleeping on It” Really Work?

This episode explores how dreams can contribute to creative problem-solving. During sleep, especially in REM, the brain loosens logical constraints and allows unusual connections to form, often leading to new insights. History offers famous examples—Kekulé’s vision of the benzene ring, Elias Howe’s sewing machine, and Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday.”

Dreams aid problem-solving by freeing the mind from logic, processing emotions, and integrating memories. Techniques like dream incubation, journaling, and lucid dreaming can increase the chance of dream-inspired solutions. However, dreams are best at creative, open-ended challenges rather than logical or highly technical problems.

Ultimately, the episode concludes that “sleeping on it” truly works, because dreams act as a creative laboratory where the brain experiments with ideas and emotions.