American Research Journal of Neurology      cover
Open Access

American Research Journal of Neurology

ISSN (Online): 2693-4795

DOI: 10.46568/arjneu

Research Article Vol. 5, Issue 1 2025 Open Access

Behavioral Variables, Dreaming, and an Inferred Association with Dopamine Modulation

Yuejia Zhuang*, Nicole Jurdak

Westtown School, Private school in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States  Correspondence to: Yuejia Zhuang, Westtown School, Private school in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. E-mail: daisyzhuang2023@gmail.com
Citation: Zhuang Y, Jurdak N “Behavioral Variables, Dreaming, and an Inferred Association with Dopamine Modulation”, American Research Journal of Neurology, Vol 5, no. 1, 2026, pp. 01-05.
Abstract
Dreams, mental experiences occurring during REM sleep, are closely connected with the regulation of dopamine. The study aimed to investigate the association between dopamine and dreaming activity through proxy variables such as aerobic exercise and sugary consumption, both demonstrated to affect dopamine levels. A sample of n=64 participants ranging from 13 to 71 years old with a mean age of 29.9 were asked researcher-developed questions through surveys on SurveyMars. All data was analyzed through Pearson Product Moment correlation using SPSS software. The r and p values were calculated and correlational scatter plots were created. In total, 64 responses were collected in part 1 of the survey and 307 responses were collected in part 2 of the survey. The �indings of the study revealed that there is a signi�icant positive correlation between higher sugary substance consumption and dream vividness. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the amount and intensity of exercise and dream vividness. However, there was only a non-signi�icant correlation between sugary substance consumption and higher amount and intensity of exercise and dream recall frequency. Future directions and limitations are discussed.