Some people frequently remember their dreams, while others claim they never dream or at least can’t recall them.
But do dreams have any significance? While many believe dreams convey messages from unseen forces that we can’t perceive while awake, some scientists argue that dreams are merely the result of neurological processes in our brains.
Even when we’re asleep, our brains are very active. Sometimes, dreams reflect our daily experiences, while at other times, they reveal our fears. But what does it mean when we dream about someone who has passed away?
These dreams might be part of the grieving process or reflect a transition happening in our lives. According to Healthline, it’s more often the latter.
Such dreams are common during periods of change, such as starting a new job, moving to a new place, or meeting new people.
More important than the dream itself is how it makes us feel.
Rubin Naiman, a psychologist with a Ph.D. who has extensively studied sleep, explains, “Dream interpretation involves decoding the dream. It offers psychological insights and expands our consciousness.”
So, dreaming about someone who has died may be related to the changes in our lives and how those changes impact us.
“Many contemporary neuroscientists believe that during REM sleep, the brain is performing maintenance tasks and may unintentionally generate visual images, making dreams appear meaningless,” says Naiman. “On the other hand, some believe that dreaming is more profound than waking life. This view is prevalent in ‘dream cultures,’ such as among the indigenous people of Australia, who see dreaming as fundamental to our spiritual existence.”
Experts categorize these dreams into four types.
First, dreaming of a deceased person might be the brain’s way of processing grief and pain. If we had unresolved issues with the deceased, such as guilt, this could explain why they appear in our dreams. Dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg suggests that we might dream of a deceased person if we recognize their traits, like substance abuse, in ourselves. Some experts believe these dreams represent a visitation from the deceased, especially if they appear well-dressed or happy. A positive feeling from the dream may suggest the deceased person is saying “Hello.”
Regardless of our beliefs about dreams, they undeniably offer profound and meaningful insights. Dreams can provide a glimpse into our soul and our connection with those who have passed away.
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We’ve All Waited for It: Scientists Created a Drug That Can Help Regrow Lost Teeth
The tooth fairy is a welcome guest for any child who has lost a tooth. Not only will the fairy leave a small gift under the child’s pillow, but they be assured of a replacement tooth in a few months. Unfortunately, the scenario is quite different for adults grappling with a loss of teeth. Luckily, there may be some hope thanks to a new study performed by scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Fukui.
A dental breakthrough
While the typical adult mouth houses 32 teeth, approximately 1% of the population exhibits variations of them, either possessing more or fewer teeth due to congenital conditions. Researchers have delved into the genetic factors behind cases of excessive teeth, seeking valuable insights into the potential regeneration of teeth in adults. This study is the first to show that monoclonal antibodies can help regrow teeth. It suggests a new way to treat a dental problem that currently requires implants and other artificial solutions.
A bit of science
The research team disclosed that an antibody targeting a specific gene, known as uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1), can induce tooth development in mice affected by tooth agenesis, a congenital condition. The findings were published in the journal, Science Advances.
As per Katsu Takahashi, a senior lecturer at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and one of the principal contributors to the study, the essential molecules crucial for the development of teeth have already been pinpointed. “The morphogenesis of individual teeth depends on the interactions of several molecules including BMP, or bone morphogenetic protein, and Wnt signaling,” says Takahashi.
On April 13, 2021, the University of Kyoto posted its first pic of newly-grown teeth in mice.
BMP and Wnt are involved in more than just tooth development; they affect the growth of organs and tissues early in the body’s development. Because drugs affecting them directly might have broad side effects, scientists are cautious. To find a potentially safer method, researchers focused on the gene USAG-1, thinking that aiming at factors countering BMP and Wnt specifically in tooth development could be more precise.
“We knew that suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” added Takahashi.
The first results
Scientists looked at how different monoclonal antibodies affect USAG-1. Monoclonal antibodies are often used to treat things like cancer and arthritis and for making vaccines. Tests with this antibody showed that BMP signaling is crucial for deciding the number of teeth in mice. Also, just one treatment was enough to grow a whole tooth. Further tests confirmed these positive results in ferrets too.
“Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans. Our next plan is to test the antibodies on other animals, such as pigs and dogs,” explained Takahashi.
Fully regrown frontal teeth in ferrets
The next steps
Now, scientists are going to test the drug on healthy adults. If that goes well, the team plans to try it on kids aged 2 to 6 with a rare tooth problem called anodontia, a genetic disorder defined as the absence of all teeth. These kids will get one shot of the drug to see if it makes their teeth grow. If everything works out, the medicine might be approved by 2030.
Takahashi sees the new medicine as an additional choice for individuals who are missing some or all of their teeth.
“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” Takahashi told the Japanese newspaper, The Mainichi in June this year. “I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.”
So hopefully, by the year 2030, humans will get a chance to have their third generation of teeth grown and say goodbye to implants. Until then, make sure to keep your teeth strong and healthy — this article will help you with that.
Preview photo credit KyotoU_News / Twitter
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