Brighthelm Centre, 23rd January 2025
The Science of Dreams talk at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton was a fascinating dive into the mysterious world of dreams, led by Dr Jonathan Iliff.
A psychiatrist and neuroscientist with a flair for delivering science in a digestible way, Jonathan tackled the big questions: why do we dream, what’s happening in our heads when we do and can we have some control over it?
The session was peppered with tongue-in-cheek humour, keeping the audience engaged and chuckling. You could tell Jonathan was genuinely passionate about the topic and his enthusiasm was infectious.
He walked the audience through current theories with an ease that made complex neuroscience feel surprisingly approachable. There were nods to Freudian dream interpretation but the focus stayed firmly rooted in what modern science has to offer.
Dr Iliff broke down the brain’s anatomy and role in dreams. It was eye-opening to realise how our brains essentially self-generate entire worlds each night, often with visuals, sounds and touch, even if they don’t always make sense.
The talk wasn’t just an info-dump though. It was packed with interesting anecdotes and examples, which gave it a lively and relatable feel.
One moment he was discussing REM sleep and its role in dream formation, the next he was exploring lucid dreaming and how to give it a go later that night. It made for a talk that was as entertaining as it was educational.
The Q&A at the end allowed the audience to delve deeper and Jonathan was generous with his time and thoughtful in his answers.
If there’s a critique to be made, it’s that the session flew by far too quickly. An extra hour would’ve been welcomed to explore the subject further.
Overall, The Science of Dreams was thought-provoking and fun. It left you reflecting on the quirky, surreal nature of your own dreams, armed with fresh insights and a stronger appreciation for the science behind them.
The Science of Dreams, Seed Talks Brighton review – 5 stars
The Brighton Bucket List 