Most dreaming happens during REM sleep, which makes up 20–25% of the night; if vivid dreams keep leaving you exhausted, scientists say the real culprit may be something else, keeping you from restorative sleep
Feeling fatigued after dreaming is often linked to disrupted sleep patterns, especially during REM phases. During REM, the brain remains highly engaged, which prevents achieving deeper rest. If dreams are recalled, it signals that you woke while dreaming, interrupting the crucial restorative stages of sleep. This interference obstructs clearing adenosine, a natural sleep-inducing byproduct, making…