Is sexual interpretation of dreams in Freudian thinking linked to REM-sleep erections?
International Journal of Dream Research September 30, 2026 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2026.2.116920 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Raises the question of whether Freud's sexual interpretations of dream symbols might be related to the regular occurrence of erections during REM sleep, the stage linked to vivid dream recall. The abstract poses this connection as a question rather than testing or answering it. |
Abstract
Sigmund Freud is often cited with his ideas to interpret a variety of dream symbols as being sexual. As erections occur regularly during REM sleep that is associated with vivid dream recall, the question arises whether Freud’s ideas about the sexual meaning of dreams might be related to this physiology.