Latest news with #Otaiku
Hindustan Times
12-08-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Are nightmares bad for your health?
Night hags and night mares. Succubi and incubi. Sleep has long been a demon-haunted world. In olden days such visitations were thought to drain the dreamer of life-energy and, though modern science has no truck with actual demons, the fear that bad dreams somehow sap a dreamer's health has not vanished. Instead, it has been confirmed. Almost everyone has nightmares. But it is among those who have them weekly—somewhere between 2% and 6% of the population—that connections with ill-health seem to arise. Some links are to be expected. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and post-traumatic-stress disorder, for example, all have nightmares as a common symptom. The same goes for chronic pain. But other connections are more mysterious. Research by Abidemi Otaiku at Imperial College London suggests that nightmares may warn of neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. And other groups have shown that conditions not specifically brain-related, including cardiovascular problems and autoimmune diseases like lupus, seem linked to nightmares, too. Worst of all, nightmares may kill. In Dr Otaiku's latest work, presented last month at a conference in Helsinki, shows frequent nightmares are stronger predictors of early death than smoking, obesity, poor diet or sloth. To arrive at his conclusion Dr Otaiku analysed six long-term studies from America and Britain, involving more than 180,000 adults and almost 2,500 children. Those whose nightmares were weekly or more frequent were three times more likely to die before the age of 70 than those who had them less than once a month. Out of 174 people who died prematurely, 31 had at least weekly nightmares. Part of the explanation is his finding that the chromosomes of the nightmare-prone show signs of accelerated ageing of a sort that can be brought about by stress hormones, which nightmares are known to promote. These chromosomal effects, he reckons, are responsible for about 40% of the increased risk of premature death in those prone to nightmares. Where the other 60% comes from is unknown. All of which suggests paying attention to nightmares is a good idea. Where they are a symptom, they can give warning of what is coming. And where they are a cause, treatments to reduce nightmares can be undertaken as a priority. That is not to say the two are always easy to distinguish. In the cases of depression, anxiety and so on, nightmares are both symptom and cause. Bad dreams triggered by psychiatric disturbance induce stress that reinforces the underlying condition. For conditions such as Parkinson's and dementia, though, which are caused by neurological damage, nightmares are unlikely to be anything other than symptomatic. The same may well hold true for lupus, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy organs, including the brain, promoting inflammation. That may well trigger nightmares, with any stress hormones released as a consequence likely to make things worse. For cardiovascular problems, by contrast, nightmares are probably causes, not consequences; the stress they create will encourage blood-vessel-damaging inflammation. Spotting nightmares is one thing. Treating them is another. Psychotherapy may help some. And certain drugs, such as prazosin (ordinarily used to treat high blood pressure), may assist. But the study of nightmares remains an underexplored field of medicine. That needs to change. Curious about the world? To enjoy our mind-expanding science coverage, sign up to Simply Science, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-08-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Had a nightmare last night? That's not a good sign for your health
Night hags and nightmares. Succubi and incubi. Sleep has long been a demon-haunted world. In olden days, such visitations were thought to drain the dreamer of life-energy and, though modern science has no truck with actual demons, the fear that bad dreams somehow sap a dreamer's health has not vanished. Instead, it has been confirmed. Almost everyone has nightmares. But it is among those who have them weekly – somewhere between 2 per cent and 6 per cent of the population – that connections with ill-health seem to arise. Some links are to be expected. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and post-traumatic-stress disorder, for example, all have nightmares as a common symptom. The same goes for chronic pain. But other connections are more mysterious. Research by Abidemi Otaiku at Imperial College London suggests that nightmares may warn of neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. And other groups have shown that conditions not specifically brain-related, including cardiovascular problems and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, seem linked to nightmares, too. Worst of all, nightmares may kill. Otaiku's latest work, presented last month at a conference in Helsinki, shows frequent nightmares are stronger predictors of early death than smoking, obesity, poor diet or sloth. To arrive at his conclusion, Otaiku analysed six long-term studies from America and Britain, involving more than 180,000 adults and almost 2500 children. Those whose nightmares were weekly or more frequent were three times more likely to die before the age of 70 than those who had them less than once a month. Out of 174 people who died prematurely, 31 had at least weekly nightmares. Part of the explanation is his finding that the chromosomes of the nightmare-prone show signs of accelerated ageing of a sort that can be brought about by stress hormones, which nightmares are known to promote. These chromosomal effects, he reckons, are responsible for about 40 per cent of the increased risk of premature death in those prone to nightmares. Where the other 60 per cent comes from is unknown. All of this suggests that paying attention to nightmares is a good idea. Where they are a symptom, they can give warning of what is coming. And where they are a cause, treatments to reduce nightmares can be undertaken as a priority. That is not to say the two are always easy to distinguish. In the cases of depression, anxiety and so on, nightmares are both symptom and cause. Bad dreams triggered by psychiatric disturbance induce stress that reinforces the underlying condition. For conditions such as Parkinson's and dementia, though, which are caused by neurological damage, nightmares are unlikely to be anything other than symptomatic. The same may well hold true for lupus, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy organs, including the brain, promoting inflammation. That may well trigger nightmares, with any stress hormones released as a consequence likely to make things worse.
The Age
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Age
Had a nightmare last night? That's not a good sign for your health
Night hags and nightmares. Succubi and incubi. Sleep has long been a demon-haunted world. In olden days, such visitations were thought to drain the dreamer of life-energy and, though modern science has no truck with actual demons, the fear that bad dreams somehow sap a dreamer's health has not vanished. Instead, it has been confirmed. Almost everyone has nightmares. But it is among those who have them weekly – somewhere between 2 per cent and 6 per cent of the population – that connections with ill-health seem to arise. Some links are to be expected. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and post-traumatic-stress disorder, for example, all have nightmares as a common symptom. The same goes for chronic pain. But other connections are more mysterious. Research by Abidemi Otaiku at Imperial College London suggests that nightmares may warn of neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. And other groups have shown that conditions not specifically brain-related, including cardiovascular problems and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, seem linked to nightmares, too. Worst of all, nightmares may kill. Otaiku's latest work, presented last month at a conference in Helsinki, shows frequent nightmares are stronger predictors of early death than smoking, obesity, poor diet or sloth. To arrive at his conclusion, Otaiku analysed six long-term studies from America and Britain, involving more than 180,000 adults and almost 2500 children. Those whose nightmares were weekly or more frequent were three times more likely to die before the age of 70 than those who had them less than once a month. Out of 174 people who died prematurely, 31 had at least weekly nightmares. Part of the explanation is his finding that the chromosomes of the nightmare-prone show signs of accelerated ageing of a sort that can be brought about by stress hormones, which nightmares are known to promote. These chromosomal effects, he reckons, are responsible for about 40 per cent of the increased risk of premature death in those prone to nightmares. Where the other 60 per cent comes from is unknown. All of this suggests that paying attention to nightmares is a good idea. Where they are a symptom, they can give warning of what is coming. And where they are a cause, treatments to reduce nightmares can be undertaken as a priority. That is not to say the two are always easy to distinguish. In the cases of depression, anxiety and so on, nightmares are both symptom and cause. Bad dreams triggered by psychiatric disturbance induce stress that reinforces the underlying condition. For conditions such as Parkinson's and dementia, though, which are caused by neurological damage, nightmares are unlikely to be anything other than symptomatic. The same may well hold true for lupus, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy organs, including the brain, promoting inflammation. That may well trigger nightmares, with any stress hormones released as a consequence likely to make things worse.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Some dreams can actually kill and are linked to higher early death risk than smoking, says study
Nightmares might feel like harmless disturbances, but a new study has revealed they could have serious consequences for health and longevity. Researchers from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London have found that adults who experience nightmares weekly are more than three times as likely to die before the age of 70, compared to those who rarely have them. The study, presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, analysed data from over 183,000 adults aged 26 to 86, and 2,429 children aged between eight and 10. Adult participants reported how often they experienced nightmares, and the researchers tracked their health over a period of up to 19 years. For children, nightmare frequency was reported by parents. Link Between Nightmares and Accelerated Aging One of the study's key findings was that regular nightmares were not just linked to disturbed sleep but also to signs of faster biological aging . Researchers measured telomere length—protective structures at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age—as well as molecular aging markers called epigenetic clocks. Both children and adults with more frequent nightmares showed signs of accelerated cellular aging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn About Solar Work Opportunities in Canada and the UK LocalPlan Search Now Undo Dr Abidemi Otaiku, who led the study, explained that nightmares trigger the body's stress response. Since the brain cannot differentiate dreams from real-life events, these experiences activate the fight-or-flight system, often waking individuals with physical symptoms like sweating and a racing heart. This stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, a hormone associated with aging at the cellular level. Otaiku noted that this cumulative stress—alongside the disruption of sleep quality and duration—may be a major contributor to faster aging and premature death. In fact, nightmare frequency proved to be a stronger predictor of early mortality than widely acknowledged risk factors such as obesity, smoking, poor diet, or lack of exercise. Nightmares as a Public Health Concern The findings applied across all age groups, genders, ethnic backgrounds, and mental health conditions, suggesting a widespread effect. Notably, even monthly nightmares were associated with increased risk, reinforcing the idea that even occasional sleep disturbances could have long-term health impacts. The study also tracked 227 premature deaths during the follow-up period and found that people reporting weekly nightmares at the start were significantly more likely to be among those who died early. Can Nightmares Be Prevented? Despite the alarming results, experts stress that nightmares are treatable. According to Otaiku, managing stress and improving sleep hygiene can reduce the frequency of bad dreams. Avoiding disturbing media before bed, addressing anxiety or depression, and seeking help from sleep specialists are all recommended. Psychological treatments like image rehearsal therapy, where individuals consciously reimagine their nightmares with more positive outcomes, have shown success and can even be practiced at home. Given how common nightmares are and the significant health risks they pose, the researchers emphasised the need to take them seriously—not just as sleep disturbances, but as potential contributors to chronic stress and early death.
Vancouver Sun
26-06-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Why bad dreams could be aging and prematurely killing you
Nightmares can literally scare the life out of people, new research suggests. Frequent unpleasant dreams and nightmares are being linked with accelerated biological aging and an untimely death. According to a British team, people who experience weekly distressing dreams are three times more likely to die before they reach age 70 than people who rarely or never report experiencing nightmares. Researchers said the finding held even after they accounted for smoking, obesity, unhealthy diets and other risk factors for an early death. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The study can't prove causation — that nightmares are premature killers. However, one theory implicates the stress hormone cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol are associated with shorter telomeres, tiny caps at the end of chromosomes, like the tip of a shoelace. Telomeres get shorter every time a cell divides, and shorter telomeres are considered a sign of accelerated aging of the body's cells. Cortisol is present at high levels during nightmares. 'For those who frequently experience nightmares, this cumulative stress may significantly impact the aging process,' the study's lead author, Dr. Abidemi Otaiku, of the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, said in a statement released this week. What's more, nightmares mess with how well and how long people sleep, 'impairing the body's essential overnight cellular restoration and repair,' Otaiku said. 'The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep likely contribute to the accelerated aging of our cells and bodies.' Nightmares are common, Otaiku reported in earlier work linking nightmares with an i ncreased risk of dementia and cognitive decline in middle-aged adults. About five percent of adults experience nightmares weekly, and up to 40 percent monthly, percentages that are likely even higher if bad dreams are thrown in, he said. Considering how common a phenomenon nightmares are, 'it is surprising that their clinical significance remains largely unknown,' he wrote. In the latest study, presented this week at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helsinki, Otaiku and colleagues analyzed pooled data from 2,429 children aged eight to 10, and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86 from six cohort studies following large groups of people over time. Adults reported how often they had nightmares at the start of the study, and were followed for up to 19 years. For kids, nightmare frequency was reported by parents. According to a release, adults reporting weekly nightmares were three times as likely to die prematurely than people who rarely or never experienced distressing dreams. 'Children and adults with more frequent nightmares also exhibited faster biological aging, which accounted for approximately 40 percent of the heightened mortality risk' among adults, according to the release. Even people who reported monthly nightmares showed signs of faster aging and a higher mortality, 'Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality,' Otaiku said. '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. 'This stress reaction can be more intense than anything we experience while awake.' While it's all enough to lose sleep over, more research is needed to confirm the associations. Hormones are just one factor in accelerated cellular aging. In the meantime, nightmares are less likely if people avoid scary movies, manage stress and seek help for symptoms of anxiety or depression, Otaiku said. Stress can drive unpleasant dreams, University of Montreal psychologist and sleep scientist Antonio Zadra told National Post last year as part of a special series on sleep. But dreams also 'tend to embody our current concerns and preoccupations and much of what is on our minds is often negatively toned.' Worries 'get replayed in our dreams in metaphorical and disjointed ways, and the emotions underlying them get amplified,' Zadra said. Strategies to distract negative thoughts can help calm people down, he and other said, like reading a book or slowing breathing, which soothes the fight-or-flight response. National Post Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
