If you’re here, chances are you’re curious about questions like:

• Do blind people dream at all?

• What do their dreams look like?

• How are their dreams similar to or different from those of sighted people?

• And perhaps the most important one: who am I to be answering these questions?

Let’s dive into the answers, and I promise, I’ll provide evidence.

Table of Content:

1. Do Blind People Dream

2. What Do Blind People's Dreams Look Like?

3. Similarity Between Blind & Sighted People's Dreams

4. How Are Blind People's Dreams Different?

5. Who Am I to Be Answering These Questions?

6. Final Thoughts

   
   

Do Blind People Dream?

Yes, most blind people dream—just like sighted people. Dreams are a product of our subconscious mind, blending our emotions, experiences, and aspirations into surreal stories.

A common question is, “How can a person who doesn’t perceive visuals ‘see’ dreams?” But dreaming doesn’t rely solely on vision. Our brain enters a phase during sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM), where the body temporarily paralyzes itself, possibly to prevent us from acting out our dreams. This suggests that dreaming happens in the mind, independent of our physical senses.

In essence, whether you’re sighted or blind, dreaming is universal.

What Do Blind People’s Dreams Look Like?

Dreams for blind people mirror their waking lives:

• Blind from Birth: If someone has never seen visuals, their dreams don’t include images. Instead, their dreams revolve around sounds, smells, touch, emotions, and sometimes even tastes.

• Blind Later in Life: People who lose vision later often experience visuals in their dreams, but these may fade over time as their memories of sight diminish.

For me, someone who lost most of my vision at 19, my dreams are a mix. I still "see" shapes, sizes, and vague visuals, but they’re less vivid than they used to be. My dreams now focus more on stories, emotions, and other senses like touch and sound.

Here’s a fascinating research study exploring this topic.

How Are Blind People’s Dreams Similar to Sighted People’s Dreams?

The process of dreaming is essentially the same for everyone: our waking experiences become the raw material for our subconscious to mold into dreams. Think of it like a coffee machine:

• Add dark roast Jamaican coffee, and you get dark roast coffee.

• Add light roast vanilla, and you get vanilla coffee.

In this analogy, the “coffee pod” is our waking experiences. Sighted or blind, the dream machine works the same way—it’s the input that varies.

Interestingly, the frequency of dreams is also similar between blind and sighted individuals. Research backs this up.

How Are Blind People’s Dreams Different?

Blind people’s dreams reflect their unique way of experiencing the world. A few noteworthy differences:

• Content

  
  

  Blind individuals often dream about sounds, smells, and touch more prominently than visuals.
  

• Themes:

  
  

  1. Fewer dreams about personal success or failure.

  2. Less aggression in dream interactions.

  3. More frequent dreams about animals, often service dogs.

  4. Greater focus on food and eating.

  5. Increased dreams about travel-related mishaps, possibly reflecting real-world challenges.

A 1999 study examined 372 dreams from blind participants and found these patterns.

• Nightmares

  
  

  Research suggests that blind individuals, particularly those blind from birth, may experience more frequent nightmares. Experts believe this could be linked to encountering more real-world threats, as stress and fear often fuel nightmares.

  
  

Check out this study for more details.

Who Am I to Be Answering These Questions?

Hi, I’m Sakshi. I’ve been legally blind for 15 years, losing most of my vision at 19. My dreams are a mix of visuals and other senses, reflecting both my sighted past and my current reality. Visuals in my dreams aren’t as vivid as they used to be, but the emotions and stories remain just as intense.

Equally intense is my drive to break stereotypes about blindness, embrace my unique experiences and aspirations, and strive to reach my fullest potential. If that sounds interesting, follow along in my journey!

Final Thoughts

The world of blind people’s dreams is as fascinating and diverse as the waking lives of those who experience them. While research on this topic is still limited, the best way to understand it is simple: ask someone who is blind.

If you have more questions, drop me a comment—I’d love to share my experiences and hear yours. And remember, blindness doesn’t diminish the richness of life, waking or dreaming.

Dream on!