Throughout history, many people have studied the human body and its many functions. The mind is a part of the body that causes a lot of confusion and controversy. Many parts of the brain baffle scientists, but dreams and their functions are one specific aspect of the mind that is fascinating and puzzling. It is surprising that the average person dreams for at least six years of their life, but scientists still do not know the role of dreaming (Shaw). Several theories have been presented to provide a reason to dream and attempt to explain what most do not understand. Although research on dreams has been significant in recent times, no agreement has been reached on the correct theory regarding the purpose of dreams. Some believe that dreams are just simulations created by the sleeping mind with no real purpose, but others believe that dreams are psychologically important. During sleep, the body goes through five stages of sleep. With each stage, the body falls into a deeper, more restorative sleep. Although research has shown that we can dream during any of the five stages of sleep, it is known that most dreams take place during the fifth stage. During the fifth stage of sleep, we enter a phase called Rapid Eye Movement, or REM. When we begin REM sleep, many changes occur in the body. Not only do the eyes begin to move quickly, but breathing and heart rate also increase. Activity levels in the brain reach the same levels as when we are awake. Despite the fact that many functions of the body are intensified, we become almost paralyzed in the REM stage due to the release of a specific amino acid. This reaction is thought to occur so that the body does not act out the dreams it is experiencing. Throughout the night we travel...... middle of paper...... year 2005. HowStuffWorks.com. February 24, 2011. Shaw, Tucker. 2000. Dreams. New York, NY: 17th Street Productions “The Interpretation of Dreams: Introduction.” Nonfiction classics for students. Ed. Marie-Rose Napierkowski. Flight. 3. Detroit: Gale, 1998. eNotes.com. January 2006. March 16, 2011. .Sponias, Christina “The dream theories of Carl Jung”. Carl Jung's dream theories. February 15, 2009 EzineArticles.com. March 16, 2011. Eudell-Simmons, Erin M. and Mark J. Hilsenroth. “A review of empirical research supporting four conceptual uses of dreams in psychotherapy.” Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 12.4 (2005): 255-269. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Internet. March 22. 2011.