Is it possible to dream under general anesthesia?
October 23, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Laura Hahn
Dear Doctor,
My name is Ben Kock and I have a question regarding anesthesia. I will soon undergo a surgery under general anesthesia and I am wondering if it is possible to dream during the anesthesia.
I am concerned that I might have unpleasant dreams during the operation and I am wondering if I should be prepared for that. Is it possible for me to have nightmares or even feel pain during the anesthesia?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with more information on this. Are there ways to ensure that I do not have unpleasant dreams during the operation? Are there specific medications or techniques that can help me remain calm and relaxed during the anesthesia?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Kind regards,
Ben Kock
Dear Mr. Kock,
Thank you for your question regarding anesthesia. It is understandable that you may be concerned about dreaming during surgery under general anesthesia and whether these dreams could be unpleasant. Let me first explain how general anesthesia works.
During general anesthesia, you are put into a deep sleep where you do not feel any pain and are not conscious. This is achieved by administering medications that suppress your consciousness and pain perception. While under anesthesia, you are not able to dream, as dreams occur in the brain during sleep and in a state of general anesthesia, the brain is put into a different state that prevents dreaming.
It is very rare for patients to have nightmares or feel pain during general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists closely monitor you throughout the entire operation to ensure you are not in pain and that you remain in a stable condition. If you unexpectedly wake up during the operation or feel pain, the anesthesiologists can intervene immediately and administer additional medications to put you back into a deep sleep.
There are no specific medications or techniques to ensure that you do not have unpleasant dreams during anesthesia. The most important thing is to discuss your fears and concerns with your anesthesiologist before the operation. You can discuss together how to best stay relaxed and what measures can be taken to ensure that you are well taken care of during the operation.
Overall, you can be reassured that anesthesiologists are very experienced in safely guiding patients through surgery under general anesthesia. Being calm and relaxed during the operation will also help prevent unpleasant dreams. Trust your medical team and make sure all your questions and concerns are addressed before the operation.
I hope I have answered your question thoroughly and wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery.
Sincerely,
Laura Hahn, Anesthesiologist
