Whether you want to admit it or not, most of us have experienced waking up from an erot!c dream and wondering what triggered it. Maybe you’re experiencing a lull in your real-life romant!c life, wanted to act out a fantasy, or simply have a s*xually charged subconscious. However, this brain surgeon believes there’s more to it than that. Dr. Rahul Jandial delves into the science behind our peculiar dreams to uncover the secrets of our mind’s nightly adventures, revealing that dreams about int!macy are more complex than many realize.
In an appearance on Lewis Howes’ podcast, The School of Greatness, earlier this year, Dr. Jandial explained why the brain, our most vital and intricate organ, frequently conjures up sexual dreams. Specializing in complex cancer surgeries, he pointed out that our introduction to eroticism isn’t innate like other human capabilities but develops over time.
According to Dr. Jandial, this ability emerges in the human brain around ages 11 to 13. “You don’t undergo physical puberty and then decide you’re attracted,” he explained, “It’s the brain developing the ability for arousal, often through erot!c dreams.” Unlike prepubescent stages, this isn’t initiated by the body wanting more; it’s driven by brain development.
This suggests that our brains undergo a kind of s*xual awakening at an undefined point, theorizing that after a certain age, we’re all primed for procreation and intimacy. This differs from typical neurodevelopmental pathways, which we refine over time. “It arrives,” he noted, using J Cole’s song “Wet Dreamz” to illustrate how erotic dreams often precede real-life experiences.
Dr. Jandial explained to Howes that in dreams, we access parts of ourselves we can’t reach while awake, offering insight into deeper meanings behind these dreams. “The dreaming brain is hyper-emotional and hyper-visual, showcasing profound insights,” he stated, noting that when people suffer brain injuries in these areas, they can’t make decisions, suggesting emotion plays a critical role.
He emphasized that while waking life requires focus, insights from dreams can reveal our deepest desires and emotional needs, often regarding things we haven’t fully realized yet. These dreams might indicate a yearning for more excitement or a closer connection to the person featured in the dream, illustrating our fundamental longings.