Dreams 'can help with learning'

Napping after learning something new could help you commit it to memory - as long as you dream, scientists say. Dreaming may be a sign our brain is working hard in our sleep. They found people who dream about a new task perform it better on waking than those who do not sleep or do not dream. 

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Co-author Dr Erin Wamsley said the study suggests our non-conscious brain works on the things that it deems are most important. 

"Every day we are gathering and encountering tremendous amounts of information and new experiences," she said. "It would seem that our dreams are asking the question, 'How do I use this information to inform my life?"

The research, published in the academic journal Cell Biology, could have practical implications.The scientists say there may be ways to take advantage of this phenomenon for improving learning and memory. 

For example, students might be better studying hard before bedtime, or taking a nap after a period of afternoon study. 

More about this subject at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8638551.stm