Insect swarms, vampire fangs and big bugs? Individuals report weird goals amid COVID-19 pandemic

DETROIT – Will the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affect your dreams? Researchers said many people had reported bizarre, vivid dreams involving swarms of flying insects, locusts with vampire teeth, and fighting giant beetle-like creatures.

Harvard researchers follow the trends and what they say about our subconscious. Experts said they represent coronavirus fears.

“I’ve just seen dozens and dozen and dozen of all kinds of mistakes in the world that attacked the dreamers,” said Harvard psychologist Deirdre Barrett.

Bugs are a metaphor for the virus. Others report dreaming of more well-known disasters such as tornadoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

Lately, many people’s dreams have shifted to the secondary effects of the pandemic, Barrett said. In their online poll, dreamers shared symbols of financial stress, returning to work and school.

“The school sent her a message telling her to send the entire class home and to teach the entire class at home,” Barrett said.

Because many Americans get more sleep than they did before the pandemic, they also dream more. Another common dream topic is what life will be like after the pandemic.

Some dreams are apocalyptic. Others are euphoric. Dolphins and whales are often involved, which can symbolize encouragement.

“The whales had learned to fly,” said Barrett. “They flew through the sky like gigantic, fast, graceful airships in the air.”

Barrett said people could try reprogramming their dreams by thinking of something they want to dream about while falling asleep.

Researchers said some people also had dreams of being in public and realizing that they forgot their mask or got too close to other people. Experts said that when we learn a new skill, it is common to dream about that skill.

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