Why can‘t I punch in my dream?

As a passionate gamer, I‘ve had many dreams that placed me inside intense video game battles and escapes. But when it came time to throw a forceful punch or sprint away, my limbs often felt weak and sluggish – almost like lagging controls. If you‘ve had similar dream sensations, the explanation lies deep in the mechanics of REM sleep.

REM Sleep Paralysis – Why You Stay Still While Dreaming

During the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, your brain is highly active and generating vivid sensory dream experiences. But your voluntary muscles like arms and legs remain paralyzed by design, likely to prevent you from acting out dramatic dreams.

Up to 95% of people experience REM atonia – the paralysis of limbs and all muscles except the eyes and diaphragm during REM sleep.

[Source: Healthline]

This paralysis is caused by active inhibition of the motor neurons that normally signal your muscles to contract and move your limbs. With those movement signals blocked, you remain safely still in bed even as intense dream activities seem to occur.

When Dream Actions Collide With Paralysis

So what happens when your dream self tries to throw a forceful punch or sprint away from threats when your body is temporarily paralyzed?

Your brain senses the intention and effort to move rapidly or powerfully. But with motor signals suppressed, your actual limbs remain relaxed and unmoving in bed.

Your brain interprets this mismatch of effort and little bodily movement as weak, slow or laggy punches and running. The vivid dream continues, but muscle activation is blocked.

Brain activity (red) is high during REM sleep while muscle tone (blue) is suppressed.
[Source: The Conversation]

This explains why dream punches feel softened or weak! The intention is there, but the moving limbs required to throw a real punch aren‘t.

Exceptions – When People Partially Act Out Dreams

For reasons not fully understood, some people can partially talk or move during REM cycles, though usually not at full waking intensity. These phenomena include:

• REM sleep behavior disorder – Acting out dreams by talking, shouting, punching, kicking etc.
• Sleep talking – Uttering random words or nonsense phrases
• Sleepwalking/sleepeating – Getting up and walking around unconsciously

Still most limb movements and complex behaviors remain suppressed by REM atonia. And no studies have found people throwing actual full punches or running velocities during REM paralysis.

Only around 0.5% of adults have REM sleep behavior disorder with prominent dream enactment.

[Source: SleepFoundation.org]

So while variations exist, nearly all people remain unable to throw real punches, run at full speed or perform combos during intense video game dreams!

The Neuroscience Behind Dream Weakness and Slowness

Neurologically, why would the brain interpret suppressed punches and runs as weak or slowed?

One theory suggests…

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My Experience With Video Game Dream Weakness

As a passionate gamer, I estimate over 20% of my adventure dreams place me inside favorite games like Skyrim, Minecraft or classic Zelda. But whenever dream battles commence…

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Gain More Control in Dreams Via Lucid Dreaming

While dream punches and runs face limitations from REM paralysis, you can work towards "lucid dreaming" – recognizing you‘re dreaming and controlling dream contents. Techniques to prime lucid abilities include:

Lucid Dreaming Technique	Effort Level	Evidence it Works
Reality checks (noticing odd details)	Low	Moderate evidence
Dream journaling	Medium	Strong evidence
Waking hypnagogic imagery training	High	Promising early evidence

So while your body won‘t act out dream punches and runs, you can work towards controlling dream contents using proven techniques!

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Over time, skilled lucid dreamers can summon objects, abilities and even modify dream physics once inside a dream. So mastering dream lucidity skills offers gamers exciting possibilities!