Why do dreams feel so real then wakes up?
The parts of the brain that are active when we learn and process information in the real world are also active while we dream and replay the material as we sleep. And so, a lot of the things we see, hear, and feel in real life show up in our dreams. Dreams help with processing our memories.
Why do dreams make sense until you wake up?
Dreams make perfect sense when we're having them but not after we wake up because the altered state of consciousness we're in when we're sleeping doesn't allow for the clear thinking of which we're capable when fully awake.
Is it normal to be able to wake yourself up from a dream?
It's not normal, as in most people can't do it. But you're lucid dreaming. That makes you special. You're likely a more connected and aware person while awake as well.
Why do we only dream before we wake up?
REM sleep is not distributed evenly through the night. The majority of REM sleep happens during the second half of a normal sleep period, which means that dreaming tends to be concentrated in the hours before waking up.