Erotic+Dreams

Jacqueline Anderson ** Erotic Dreams ** **Definition and Sym** **ptoms of an Erotic Dream** An “erotic dream” is a dream in which the sleeping individual experiences a series of sexual thoughts, images, or emotions. Erotic dreams most commonly occur in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, just like any other type of dream (Abraham, 2006). Dreams in general occur as a result of the continuous intense activity that is being processed in our subconscious minds (Delvin, 2008). If an individual has deep urges to do something, espe cially if they cannot carry out these actions in waking life for whatever reason, there is a high chance they will express these urges in their dreams. It is possible for the dreamer to reach orgasm during an erotic dream. This happens much more often in men than in women. It is not unusual for men to org asm and ejaculate while experiencing an erotic dream. Women may also, although less commonly, ejaculate while dreaming. This is often called “wet dreams.” Ejaculation during sleep is also known as nocturnal emissions. These dreams occur more commonly in men in their teens, 20s, and 30s, but men and women can experience this at any age in their adult life. Ejaculation in sleep has been thought to occur primarily due to circulation of hormones, so boys who have just recently reached puberty are at the highest risk of frequently experiencing nocturnal emissions (Hayes, 2008). Although many men are embarrassed by wet dreams, nothing can be done to prevent them (Delvin, 2008). It is possible for men to ejaculate during their sleep without experiencing an orgasm. The scientific term for this is spermatorrhea (Merriam-Webster). Men may also wake up with an erection, especially during their teens and 20s. Both men and women may wake up and find themselves masturbating after their erotic dream (Delvin, 2008).

Sex is one of the strongest of all human drives, so the frequency of sexually erotic dreams in some, but not all, individuals should not be surprising. The frequency of erotic dreams is thought to be related to the amount of time one spends with sexual fantasies in real waking life (Schredl, 2003). It is not, however, correlated to the frequency of masturbation or intercourse.

Erotic sex dreams may be fun for people and allow one to experiment with something they would never consider participating in in real life, like having sexual intercourse with multiple people at once. Some people have dreamt of unpleasant things, such as rape and other sexual violence. This may mean there is a psychological issue behind it, and therapy may be required to treat this (Delvin, 2008). One’s conscience may censor a dream by replacing the real object with symbols. For example, an individual who views sexual acts as immoral may not dream explicitly of a woman’s breasts, but instead dream of hills (Delvin, 2008).

**Erotic Dream History** Society’s views on erotic dreams have changed dramatically over the centuries. Ancient Greeks thought that the discharge of fluid in men with gonorrhea was the same thing as nocturnal emissions. This led to a somewhat wide spread of the STI, since Greeks did not know it was in fact an infection and was contagious (Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 2002). A monk would come forth and confess if he experienced an erotic dream. He was then publicly humiliated. Early Christians viewed erotic dreams to be the result of demons entering one’s body. In the 14th and 15th century, people were tortured or received capital punishment if someone found out they had experienced an erotic dream or nocturnal emission. For nearly five hundred years, all the way up until the early 1900’s, Christians viewed nocturnal emission and waking up with an erection to be the cause of the dreaming individual having sexual intercourse with the devil. Also, Christians thought witchcraft was one of the causes of an individual experiencing an erotic dream (Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 2002). Dreams with sexual content and ejaculation while sleeping were also, at one point, thought to be symptoms of a lack of morals and would eventually lead to insanity and possibly an early death (Burg, 2008). It was not until the 1900’s that Christians realized witchcraft and demonic possession were not reasonable causes for erotic dreams.

**Common Erotic Dreams** Many people who experience erotic dreams dream about a celebrity sexual partner. This has been thought to satisfy one’s sexual fulfillment. For exam ple, if a celebrity plays a character role that the dreamer admires, they may dream about this celebrity in order to fulfill their want for humor or intelligence in their lover. Dreams that involve a former lover are also common. They are thought to symbolize one’s relationships in general, not lust or love for their ex. An individual may also have dreams about having sexual intercourse in public, with multiple partners, or with a partner outside of their normal orientation in order to subconsciously go against their normal practices. By experimenting in a dream, the experience is “safe” but thrilling at the same time. Sex with friends and co-workers is also a commonly reported er otic dream. It is thought that, like the celebrity partner dream, this person holds qualities that the dreamer is looking for in a romantic partner. The last commonly reported erotic dream is one in which the dreamer has an erotic encounter with one who is impossible to identify. This is thought to mean that the qualities and behaviors of this anonymous lover are those that the dreamer actually wants in real waking life (Fulbright, 2008).

**References** Abraham, G. (2006). Sleep and sexuality. //Revue Medicale Suisse //, //2 //(58), 789-91. Burg, B.R. (1988). Nocturnal emission and masturbatory frequency relationships: a 19th century account. //Journal of Sex Research //, //24 //, 216-20. Delvin, D. (2008, November 28). //Sexual dreams //. Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/sexualdreams.htm <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Hayes, J. (2008, February 15). Erotic dreams can be harnessed. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">The Gazette //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Merriam-webster //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from [] <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Schredl, M. (2003). Erotic dreams and their relationship to waking-life sexuality. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Sexologies //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">,//18//(1), 38-43. <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Fulbright, Y. (2008, March 18). //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Foxsexpert: deciphering erotic dreams //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. Retrieved from [] <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Erotic dreams and nightmares from antiquity to present. (2002). //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">, //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">8 //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">(2). <span style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Burg, B.R. (1988). Nocturnal emission and masturbatory frequency relationships: a 19th century account. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Journal of Sex Research //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">, //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">24 //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 1.5pt; line-height: 200%;">, 216-20.