Dreams have fascinated humans for centuries, yet not everyone remembers them. Some wake up vividly recalling detailed dream sequences, while others struggle to remember anything at all. This difference in dream recall has long puzzled scientists, leading to various theories about its cause.

Dream recall is the ability to summon at least some significant details from a dream once you wake up. Only 11% of Americans almost always remember their dreams — it’s a mystery why it’s easier for some than others.

A study on dream recall involving 217 adults revealed that attitudes towards dreaming, mind wandering, and sleep patterns affect memory.

Researchers at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca have identified factors influencing dream recall, finding that positive attitudes towards dreams and mind-wandering tendencies increase recall.