[Section by asg102@psuvm.psu.edu (The Dreamer)]
Dreams seem to  be  a way for the  subconscious  mind to sort  out and
process all the   input and problems   that are encountered in  waking
life.  Therefore, a  scientist could be working on  a problem ...  say
the structure of the DNA  molecule.  Then said  scientist could have a
dream in which he  sees  two snakes  intertwining in a  double  helix.
When he  wakes, he has discovered  the  structure of the  DNA molecule
(true story).

Students who study and get some  good REM sleep retain the information
better and for longer periods of time  than students who study longer,
but have no sleep.  This  is because the  brain needs time to  process
the information, form sensible pattern out of it, and place it in long
term memory.

Dreams can also   improve  your emotional well-being,   reduce stress,
improve your creativity, and provide a  playground for your mind while
your body recovers and repairs itself.

[Comment by Brian Hostetler <bhostetl@silver.ucs.indiana.edu>]
> dream in which he  sees two snakes intertwining in a  double  helix.
> When he  wakes, he has discovered the  structure of the DNA molecule
Actually, this isn't true.  You are confusing this with the widespread
(and unproven)  story about how the  structure of the benzene ring was
discovered.   Supposedly  the scientist in  question had  a dream of a
snake biting its  tail.  Anyway,  Watson  and Crick  'discovered'  the
structure of DNA using models, not dreams.

[If I remember Chemistry lessons in school  correctly, the dream story
was indeed  about Kekul'e and the benzene  molecule, I  think. Anyway,
even if this is a  legend, it *could* well  be true. Many people  gain
creative impulses from dreams. -ot]