Why do we dream? Experts share the 4 most important roles dreams play in our sleep

A dream-like image of a woman asleep in bed, with her hair and bedding flying about her as if she is floating in the air.

For most of us, dreaming can feel, well, quite dreamy. From acting out our wild fantasies to living our ideal lives, dreams are our brain's way of sorting through emotions and real-life scenarios.

But, how do dreams work? Most dreaming occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, a stage of the sleep cycle where brain activity increases, the body becomes temporarily paralyzed, and vivid dreams take shape.