FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 1, 2025·6 min readEating Dairy May Trigger NightmaresA new study links lactose intolerance and food sensitivities to disrupted sleep and frequent nightmares. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 students and found that those with dairy intolerance reported more vivid and disturbing dreams, likely due to nighttime gastrointestinal discomfort.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 7, 2025·2 min readConquering Nightmares and Insomnia with ScienceA new workbook offers science-backed strategies to help individuals overcome chronic nightmares and insomnia. Using proven therapeutic approaches, it teaches readers how to rewrite distressing dreams and develop healthier sleep patterns.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 6, 2024·5 min readLoneliness Linked to NightmaresResearch reveals that loneliness is linked to an increased frequency and intensity of nightmares, highlighting the connection between social isolation and sleep disturbances. The study suggests that stress, rumination, and hyperarousal contribute to these effects, indicating that loneliness affects mental and physical well-being. This research supports the evolutionary theory that a sense of belonging is crucial for human survival. Addressing loneliness may potentially improve sleep quality and overall health.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 26, 2024·7 min readNightmares May Signal Autoimmune FlaresA new study suggests that increased nightmares and hallucinations can signal the onset of autoimmune diseases like lupus. The research highlights the need for greater recognition of these symptoms as early indicators of disease flares.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 20, 2024·4 min readSocial Media Nightmares: A New PhenomenonA new study finds a link between increased social media use and the likelihood of experiencing social media-related nightmares. These nightmares, often involving themes of cyberbullying, online hate, or excessive social media use, are associated with negative mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression. The research introduces the Social Media Nightmare-Related Scale (SMNS) to quantify this phenomenon and calls for further investigation into the impact of social media on dreams.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 9, 2023·6 min readThe Dream Dance: Decoding REM’s Mystical Nightly Show in Our BrainsREM sleep, marked by rapid eye movement, is one of the most mysterious stages of our nightly rest, known for vivid dreams. This phase, repeating every 90 to 120 minutes, possibly prevents sleeping too deeply, making us less vulnerable.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 8, 2023·6 min readWhy PTSD Patients Relive Highly Charged Fear Memories in SleepIn people with PTSD, during REM sleep norepinephrine and serotonin levels remain high, reducing the brain's ability to inhibit fear-expression neurons through neural rhythms sent between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Those with PTSD require higher frequency rhythms to extinguish fear memories. Researchers say unlocking the higher frequencies via therapies could help to restore quality sleep in those with PTSD.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 27, 2022·4 min readResearchers Ease Nightmares by Manipulating Emotions in DreamsRehearsing positive versions of frequent nightmares before sleep and playing noises associated with positive daytime experiences during sleep helps reduce nightmare frequency, a new study reports.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·September 21, 2022·2 min readNightmares in Middle Age Linked to Dementia RiskMiddle-aged people who experience at least one nightmare a week are four times more likely to experience cognitive decline during the following decade. Older adults who experience weekly nightmares are twice as likely to develop dementia. The association is much stronger for men than women.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 8, 2022·4 min readBad Dreams Could Be Early Warning of Parkinson’s DiseaseOlder adults who frequently experience bad dreams or nightmares are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a new study reports.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 15, 2020·4 min readResearch delves into causes of nightmares that shadow female survivors of sexual traumaHaving difficulty getting to sleep, in addition to ruminating about trauma experiences and other negative events before sleep, boosts the odds of sexual trauma survivors experiencing post-trauma nightmares.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 15, 2020·8 min readWhat pandemic dreams may comeResearchers discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the quality and content of people's dreams. The stress we are experiencing may be manifesting in our dream content as we sleep.Read More
