Dreaming Lens: Did you take medication or did someone else take something? Did you administer it? Were you aware of what the medication was or its effects? Were you considering whether to take the pills in your dream? Was there an overdose situation?
Personal Focus: A pharmaceutical medication is a compound that causes the brain to either create or inhibit the creation of certain chemicals that alters an experience in the body. This chain reaction occurs relatively fast after swallowing a pill. In this way, the symbolic association with any kind of medication is to create an instant shift in some state of affairs.
Whether it’s aspirin for a headache or a narcotic for pain, the notion that you can take a pill for anything that ails you is firmly imbedded in the collective psyche. The popularization of anti-depressants and the introduction of Viagra have increased the power of this concept.
If you are taking a pill in a dream, there may be some area in your life that you wish would transform or go away with relative ease. An overdose might indicate a more extreme search for an easy way out of a challenge or issues of indulgence. If you have health issues in your life, there may be a more literal relationship between the medication in a dream and the desire to get well.
Not knowing what kind of pill you’re taking or what it might do to you is a possible indication of some ignorance or naiveté in the way you are approaching a situation that needs attention. The specific action of a medication also needs to be taken into account. For example, a pain medication might relate to a desire to escape something difficult. An antibiotic might indicate a reaction to dark, unwanted thoughts. An anti-depressant might reveal an avoidance of unpleasant emotions. An anti-psychotic medication could connect to feeling a loss of control of your emotions or chaotic thought patterns.
All drugs have side effects, which must be considered when making a decision to take one. Often, the resulting symptoms are worse than the condition they treat. Some carry with them very dangerous risks. This perspective must be considered in a dream where a medication is a prominent symbol. You must be clear about whether the cure is worth the curse.