Freaky sex dreams: do not be alarmed: certain naughty reveries leave a smile on your face, while others make you wonder if you harbor twisted fantasies. Turns out, even bizarre carnal scenes can reveal key insight about life and love.(Love & Lust)

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While many steamy dreams are a nocturnal treat (you and Simon Baker on a yacht in a Caribbean paradise, for example), others--such as cheating on your guy or engaging in unprotected sex--are nightmarish. And since new research from tile University of Montreal proves that women are having more racy reveries than ever before, chances are, you've had an alarming erotic experience in la-la land at some point.

But here's the funny thing about dreams of having sex: They typically have nothing to do with sex--it's just a symbol your brain chooses. So don't take them literally. "Sex dreams lay bare your deep-seated fears and desires," says Gillian Holloway, PhD, author of The Complete Dream Book. "Things that you don't face during the day yet need to address often surface while you're sleeping."

Find out how these common erotic reveries can help you identify and rectify an underlying issue.

Sex With Your Ex

A dream about bedding a former flame may make you question if you harbor feelings for him, but that's likely not the case. "Your ex could be a stand-in for the person you're with now," says Holloway. "Your subconscious tends to substitute an earlier love for any guy you're dating."

That's good if the dream had lovey-dovey overtones, but if the ex you conjured up didn't treat you well, it could be a subconscious signal that your current guy possesses one of his negative traits. "Your psyche might pick up on something you aren't aware of yet," says Holloway. "Look at it as potential wake-up call."