Scientists found a way to plant ideas in dreams to boost creativity
Science Daily
February 15, 2026
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Scientists have discovered a groundbreaking method to influence dream content during REM sleep, potentially enhancing creativity and problem-solving abilities. By using targeted memory reactivation (TMR), researchers at Northwestern University played subtle sound cues related to unsolved puzzles during participants' REM sleep. Remarkably, 75% of the participants dreamed about the cued puzzles, and those who did were significantly more likely to solve them the next day—achieving a 42% success rate compared to just 17% for uncued puzzles.
The study involved 20 individuals experienced in lucid dreaming. Each participant attempted brain teaser puzzles with distinct soundtracks. During REM sleep, researchers replayed the soundtracks for half of the unsolved puzzles. This reactivation led to vivid dream reports related to the cued puzzles. For instance, one participant dreamed of asking a character for help with a puzzle, while another imagined walking through a forest tied to a nature-themed puzzle. These examples highlighted how sound cues can shape dream content even without lucidity.
The findings suggest that REM sleep may be particularly effective for creative problem-solving. By reactivating memories during this stage, individuals may unconsciously process information and arrive at innovative solutions. While the study doesn’t prove that dreaming directly causes better outcomes, it marks a significant step toward understanding how sleep can support creativity. This research opens doors to potential applications in fields requiring creative thinking, from science and
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/15/2026