Dreams are one of humanity's oldest maps of the unconscious mind, yet they are also one of the newest frontiers in neuroscience.
In this special edition of The Intimacy Lab, psychedelic-assisted therapist Sarah Tilley is joined by Marieke McKenna, philosopher, historian of science, researcher, and one of Europe’s leading voices on the nature and phenomenology of dreaming.
Across cultures and history, dreams have been viewed as portals of insight, healing, guidance, and emotional regulation. Today, neuroscience is beginning to understand why. Dreams are not random. They are structured, symbolic, and deeply intelligent processes that help us integrate experience, metabolise emotion and access parts of ourselves unavailable during waking life.
In this free 60-minute online conversation, you will learn:
What your dreams are trying to communicate beneath the surface
Why certain dreams repeat and what they reveal
How symbolism bridges memory, emotion, and meaning
The differences between male and female brain in dreaming
Why dreaming acts as nightly integration across somatic, emotional and cognitive systems
What the latest neuroscience reveals about lucid dreaming
How to use lucid dreaming to cultivate mindful awareness in waking life
Cross-cultural perspectives: Tibetan, Native American, Aboriginal and Celtic dream practices and traditions
How dreams process stress, anxiety, trauma, and relational patterns
Simple ways to recognise and work with your own dream symbolism
There will be a live Q&A, and a recording sent to all ticket holders.
About Your Hosts
Marieke McKenna
Marieke McKenna is a philosopher, historian of science and writer specialised in dreams.
Her recent research project “History of Lucid Dreaming Research” is the first oral historical examination of the emergence of the lucid dream as an object of scientific research. She led the collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science Practices of Validation in the Biomedical Sciences Research Group in Berlin and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour in Nijmegen which focused on historical, cross-cultural and philosophical perspectives on (lucid) dreaming, as well as the history of the scientific & academic study thereof.
By combining an interdisciplinary oral history approach, hands on experience in a laboratory setting, historical analysis and philosophical reflection, she strives to gain a deeper understanding of the spectrum of consciousness, specifically the phenomenology of dreaming (which is related to daydreaming, ideation, and creativity).
Outside academia, Marieke, who is based in The Netherlands, works as an artist, creative entrepreneur, curator and programme maker and host of her own weekly national radio show, frequently exploring the intersection of academic and artistic research.
Sarah Tilley
Sarah Tilley, LTCL MLCHom MCMA, is a psychedelic therapist for couples and the Founder & CEO of Beautiful Space, a pioneering practice in the Netherlands specialising in psychedelic-assisted relationship therapy.
With over 20 years of experience in holistic wellness, plant medicine and intimacy work, she developed the Beautiful Space Method to help couples rebuild trust, connection and desire. Sarah is the lead therapist on the first observational study exploring psilocybin with psychological support for relationship wellbeing.