Were you aware that our dreams might just be trying to tell us major updates about our health? Yes, you read that right! While it might sound like something out of a really interesting movie, there have been instances where people’s dreams have alerted them to a health issue before it was even diagnosed. One such case was that of actor Mark Ruffalo, the Hollywood actor who dreamt about having a brain tumour—only to find out later that it was true.But how exactly does this work? Can our dreams really give us hints about what’s happening inside our bodies? Here is all we need to know about this bizarre mystery. Here is all we need to know about this bizarre mystery.

Mark Ruffalo’s dream: A real-life movie

Let’s start with Mark Ruffalo’s incredible story. Around 2001, while filming a movie Ruffalo had a dream that changed his life. He dreamt that he had a brain tumour, a thought so vivid and disturbing that it drove him to share it with an on-set doctor, as reported by various media. After some initial scepticism, the doctor ordered a CAT scan, and, as surreal as it sounds, the scan confirmed that Ruffalo had a tumour. It’s a story that’s hard to believe, but it opens up a curious question: Can our subconscious mind pick up on health issues that even our conscious mind is unaware of?

How do dreams reflect what’s happening in our bodies?

People have been intrigued by dreams for ages. The analysis of dreams was considered a diagnostic tool by the ancient Greeks, and current research suggests their theories may have been valid. Even when we’re asleep, our brains are incredibly capable machines that are always processing information. Although the majority of dreams are a reflection of our feelings, stress, or daily worries, some scientists think that dreams may act as an “early warning system” for our physical health.

For instance, if the body is fighting off an illness or dealing with an undiagnosed condition, the brain might use dreams as a way of alerting us about the problem. Although it’s not fully understood how this happens, it is suggested that when the body undergoes stress—whether from illness, injury, or disease—it can influence the content of your dreams, making them more vivid, intense, or strange.

Can dreams be used as diagnostic clues?

A study published in 1981, titled “Dreams as an aid in determining diagnosis, prognosis, and attitude towards treatment,” focused on how dreams might be linked to medical conditions. The researchers reviewed 60 dreams from patients dealing with psychosomatic and medical illnesses. Interestingly, they found that these dreams often directly addressed the patient’s health issues in a symbolic but clear manner.

A person with cancer could think of something eating away at them, whereas a person with heart disease might dream of being strangled or suffocated. To further complicate matters, family members or medical professionals may in certain situations dream about the patient’s condition. The study highlighted the necessity for deeper research into this type of phenomenon because dreams may provide important information about our overall health.

Should you take your dreams seriously?

Let’s be very clear here, though: not every weird dream implies a hidden illness. Don’t panic and head to the doctor just because you had a strange dream. Most dreams are just your thoughts, feelings, or tensions reflected in you. It could be worthwhile to pay attention to how your body is feeling if you’ve been experiencing constant, intense dreams that appear highly powerful or very specific—like Mark Ruffalo’s dream about his brain tumour.