Having a dream that seems to predict the future can be exciting but also scary and distressing.
People often wonder if their dreams can actually predict the future or whether its just some uncanny coincidence.
Dreams that seem to predict future events are called precognitive dreams.
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
Precognitive dreaming occurs frequently in the general population, Dr. Marlo notes.
Want to learn more about the strange phenomenon of precognitive dreams?
Understanding Precognitive Dreams
So, what exactly are precognitive dreams and what are they like?
For example, 2015 research found that women are more likely to report having precognitive dreams than men.
Additionally, the research found that we are less likely to have precognitive dreams the older we get.
Why Do I Dream of Things Before They Happen?
Many people wonder why exactly we have precognitive dreams.
First of all, its important to clarify that precognitive dreams dont happen because of something supernatural.
They arent actually predicting the future, even though it may feel like they are.
Instead, psychologists believe that strong emotionsoften in oursubconscioustrigger these dreams.
Events in our lives may also contribute.
Some folks find that big life changes or life stressors can elicit them.
Dr. Hafeez says that there are a multitude of factors that may influence precognitive dreams.
Heightened emotional stress or openness to intuitive experiences can heighten the likelihood of experiencing precognitive dreams, she explains.
Research has found that people who believe in the truth of precognitive dreams are more likely to have them.
How Do Precognitive Dreams Work?
What about precognitive dreams?
What can they tell us?
Wheninterpreting your dreams, it can be helpful to put them in a broader context, says Dr. Hafeez.
Meditation or mindfulness can further enhance intuitive insights into dream symbolism and their potential implications, she explains.
Real-Life Examples of Precognitive Dreams
There are quite a few historical examples of precognitive dreams.
Probably the most famous one concerns the late U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
For example, he believed that he had a dream that foretold his mothers death.
I have had precognitive dreams my whole life, she says.
As a child, they were disturbingtoo vivid, and emotionally intense.
He hadnt walked in years due to a tragic disease.
I zoomed in like a movie and saw my father standing there.
When I awoke, my cousin called to say my uncle had passed.
Of course, probably the number one myth is that precognitive dreams can accurately foretell future events.
Even though that isnt true, these dreams are meaningful and significant, Dr. Hafeez explains.
An additional misconception is that precognitive dreams themselves will never impact future actions or events.
But this isnt entirely accurate.
Practical Applications and Implications
Precognitive dreams can be both thrilling and unsettling to experience.
Schredl M.Frequency of precognitive dreams: Association with dream recall and personality variables.Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.
2009;73(895[2])[2], 8391.
2014;28:113-125. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2014.06.011
American Psychological Association.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.Dream.
Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences.Jungs Prophetic Visions.
Bugalho P, Ladeira F, Barbosa R, et al.Do dreams tell the future?
Dream content as a predictor of cognitive deterioration in Parkinson’s disease.J Sleep Res.
2021;30(3):e13163.
