Having these types of dreams could lead to an early death
A new study has revealed that having this specific type of dream could triple your risk of an early death.
We've all had a bad dream or two and perhaps thought nothing of it.
But a new study suggests that if nightmares happen often, it might be more serious than just a disrupted night.
Researchers from UK Dementia Research and Imperial College London have discovered that frequent nightmares are linked to faster biological ageing and a greater risk of dying before the age of 70.
According to UNILAD, the study followed over 185,000 people, including adults between the ages of 26 and 86, as well as more than 2,400 kids, to find out how often they experienced nightmares.
Adults were asked to report how often they suffered from nightmares at the beginning of the study.
Children's nightmare frequency was reported by their parents.
The participants were tracked for as long as 19 years.
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The study found that people who had nightmares once a week or more were over three times more likely to die early than those who didn't.
It also linked frequent nightmares to accelerated biological ageing.
Researchers say this faster ageing explained around 40% of the increased risk of early death.
"Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality. That’s why nightmares often wake us up sweating, gasping for breath, and with our hearts pounding because our fight-or-flight response has been triggered,' explained lead researcher Dr Abidemi Otaiku.
"This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience while awake."
"Nightmares lead to prolonged elevations of cortisol, a stress hormone closely linked to faster cellular ageing," said Otaiku.
"For those who frequently experience nightmares, this cumulative stress may significantly impact the ageing process. Additionally, nightmares disrupt both sleep quality and duration, impairing the body's essential overnight cellular restoration and repair."
"The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep likely contribute to the accelerated ageing of our cells and bodies."
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Incredibly, the study found that nightmares were an even stronger predictor of early death than more common risk factors like smoking, obesity, poor diet, or lack of exercise.
Luckily, there is something you can do
"The good news is that nightmares can be prevented and treated," Dr Otaiku reassured.
"Simple measures like avoiding scary films, maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and seeking treatment for anxiety or depression can be effective."
"For those who experience frequent nightmares that disrupt their quality of life, they may benefit from seeing a sleep specialist. Effective psychological treatments, such as image rehearsal therapy, can be practised at home."
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