Dreams are classified, according to experts , as the stories the brain tells during sleep a collection of clips, images, feelings, and memories that involuntarily occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of slumber. While that sounds almost idyllic, we know that dreams are not always pleasant. Nightmares are also common for most people and, in some cases, can be recurring.

Fortunately, nightmares are fairly benign for the most part. In fact, some professionals believe they can even serve as a message. Below, we chatted with experts about recurring bad dreams and broke down everything you need to know about them. Read on to find out why they happen, what they might mean and when they could be a sign of something more serious.

Why Youre Having Nightmares (And What They Mean)