Here's video from a 2023 Nature paper showing their principal finding: octopus sleep is divided into slow-wave brain activity interrupted about every hour with 60 seconds of their equivalent of rapid eye movement (REM). We think they're dreaming very much like we dream.
The spontaneous activity during these REM-like states is shown by electrophysiology to be the parts of the brain associated with learning and memory. This suggests they're recalling things they've observed. In fact, when we compare their sleeping patterns to ones used during the day...
Shown here as "active sleep" vs. "awake", you can see what the researchers termed "black patch" behavior normally under conscious control replicated during the dream state. Because these changes happen when the octopus is sleeping in its rocky den, it doesn't give them away to predators.
There's so much to learn from these amazing animals, and the insights we gain could lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. It could also bring a deeper appreciation for the shared experiences we have with our animal cousins. Tonight, I hope to dream of octopuses.
If you would like explorations of this in both fantasy & scifi, @aptshadow.bsky.social delivers in the "Shadows of the Apt"- ... bsky.app/profile/mohl...
Odd in Star Trek all the aliens speak language out of their mouths while even on earth this strange for of alternative communication is evolving right now.
@wdgnw.bsky.social · 10 points · 1h ago
Do octopuses dream of electric shrimp?
@noiseysprite.bsky.social · 1 points · 1h ago
Truly amazing creatures!
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 46 points · 1h ago
Here's video from a 2023 Nature paper showing their principal finding: octopus sleep is divided into slow-wave brain activity interrupted about every hour with 60 seconds of their equivalent of rapid eye movement (REM). We think they're dreaming very much like we dream.
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 38 points · 1h ago
The spontaneous activity during these REM-like states is shown by electrophysiology to be the parts of the brain associated with learning and memory. This suggests they're recalling things they've observed. In fact, when we compare their sleeping patterns to ones used during the day...
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 50 points · 1h ago
Shown here as "active sleep" vs. "awake", you can see what the researchers termed "black patch" behavior normally under conscious control replicated during the dream state. Because these changes happen when the octopus is sleeping in its rocky den, it doesn't give them away to predators.
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 72 points · 1h ago
There's so much to learn from these amazing animals, and the insights we gain could lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. It could also bring a deeper appreciation for the shared experiences we have with our animal cousins. Tonight, I hope to dream of octopuses.
@jinga11s.bsky.social · 2 points · 1h ago
How do we feel about the plural "octopodes?"
@foxyvalli.bsky.social · 8 points · 1h ago
Octopuses are so cool.
@mohlezuneapolj.bsky.social · 2 points · 1h ago
If you would like explorations of this in both fantasy & scifi, @aptshadow.bsky.social delivers in the "Shadows of the Apt"- ... bsky.app/profile/mohl...
@mohlezuneapolj.bsky.social · 2 points · 1h ago
... And the "Children of Time"-series bsky.app/profile/mohl...
@jasoncampbell617.bsky.social · 30m ago
Dreaming about the snow and ice ,then into the deep darkness of the ocean then about the reefs...
@scrambled85.bsky.social · 1 points · 1h ago
These are such wonderous and incredible creatures. Makes me angry every time I see them on a menu!!!
@bobhooker.bsky.social · 3 points · 1h ago
Odd in Star Trek all the aliens speak language out of their mouths while even on earth this strange for of alternative communication is evolving right now.
@goodmourning.bsky.social · 3m ago
I love her 🖤
@pauloakira.bsky.social · 5 points · 1h ago
That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. 👀