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Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists share how a cup of coffee can change the brain
Decaf coffee may not be what you want if you want a caffeine boost to get through the end of the day but if you want to wake feeling rested, you should reconsider. New research has found that drinking just two cups of coffee after midday could be enough to shift the brain towards a more excitable and dynamic state during the night, wreaking havoc on your energy levels. Canadian researchers said that caffeine - one of the most widely consumed stimulants in the world - can change the structure and complexity of brain activity during different stages of sleep. Lead author of the study Professor Philipp Tholke said: 'The widespread use of caffeine among the public makes this topic an important health consideration. 'Understanding how caffeine affects sleep architecture and brain dynamics can help clarify its impact on neural health.' The researchers, from the University of Montreal, analysed the sleep health of 40 healthy adults with moderate caffeine consumption aged 20 to 58. Participants spent two nights at a sleep clinic one after ingesting 200mg of caffeine - approximately two cups of coffee - and another after having a placebo. The researchers used a double-blind design so that they also did not know whether participants were coming into the clinic caffeinated or caffeine-free. The participants' sleep quality was monitored using an electroencephalogram (EEG) which records brain activity by picking up electrical signals produced by the brain. Using a sleep EEG, researchers focused on several markers of brain complexity looking at how random a brain signal is, how easily the signal can be compressed and how consistent a signal is over time. They also looked at the distribution of electrical activity across different frequencies. The results showed that caffeine mostly affected brain activity during non-REM sleep - the stage of the cycle which is considered the quiet or restful stage. This stage is split into three distinct phases: a person falls asleep, and then moves from a light sleep into a deep sleep. At this point a person's breathing, brain activity and heart rate typically slow down, body temperature drops and eye movement stops. This is a very restorative phase helping the body repair tissue and muscle and strengthen the immune system. However, researchers found that consuming caffeine after midday had a negative impact on this crucial stage, resulting in less restorative sleep. 'Caffeine delays but does not prevent sleep, so even though we can sleep under the influence of caffeine, the brain, and therefore also sleep, is impacted by the drug,' Prof Thölke told PsyPost. 'It leads to shallower sleep with increased information processing during the sleep stages where the brain normally enters deep restorative rest.' The researchers also noted certain brain signals were flatter, suggesting that the under the influence of caffeine the brain more closely resembled a 'critical state' - where the brain is most responsive and adaptable. They also analysed how age affected caffeine's impact on the brain and sleep health. Generally, younger adults aged 20 to 27-years-old were more susceptible to caffeine's stimulant effects during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep compared to middle-aged adults. Researchers theorized that this could be because older people have less adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a chemical that builds up in the brain during waking hours eventually making us feel tired. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, making us feel more awake. The researchers suggested that because older adults have fewer receptors, the blocking effect of caffeine may not be so effective especially in REM sleep. During non-REM sleep however the effects of caffeine were broadly the same across all age groups. Researchers concluded therefore that caffeine has the ability to restructure the brain and impact how well we sleep. However, they acknowledged that their study only included healthy individuals so concluded that the findings could not be extrapolated to individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions like restless leg syndrome or Parkinson's.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists pinpoint exactly how a cup of coffee can change the brain
Decaf coffee may be the last thing on your mind if you're looking for an afternoon caffeine hit to get you through to the end of the working day. But if you want to wake up feeling well rested, experts say you should reconsider. New research has found that drinking just two cups of coffee after midday could be enough to shift the brain towards a more excitable and dynamic state during the night, wreaking havoc on your energy levels. Canadian researchers said that caffeine––one of the most widely consumed stimulants in the world––can change the structure and complexity of brain activity during different stages of sleep. Lead author of the study Professor Philipp Thölke said: 'The widespread use of caffeine among the public makes this topic an important health consideration. 'Understanding how caffeine affects sleep architecture and brain dynamics can help clarify its impact on neural health,' he added. The researchers, from the University of Montreal, analysed the sleep health of 40 healthy adults with moderate caffeine consumption aged 20 to 58-years-old. Participants spent two nights at a sleep clinic one after ingesting 200mg of caffeine––approximately two cups of coffee––and another after having a placebo. The researchers used a double-blind design so that they also did not know whether participants were coming into the clinic caffeinated or caffeine-free. The participants' sleep quality was monitored using an electroencephalogram (EEG) which records brain activity by picking up electrical signals produced by the brain. Using a sleep EEG researchers focused on several markers of brain complexity looking at how random a brain signal is, how easily the signal can be compressed and how consistent a signal is over time. They also looked at the distribution of electrical activity across different frequencies. The results showed that caffeine mostly affected brain activity during non-REM sleep––the stage of the cycle which is considered the quiet or restful stage. This stage is split into three distinct phases: a person falls asleep, and then moves from a light sleep into a deep sleep. At this point a person's breathing, brain activity and heart rate typically slow down, body temperature drops and eye movement stops. This is a very restorative phase helping the body repair tissue and muscle and strengthen the immune system. However, researchers found that consuming caffeine after midday had a negative impact on this crucial stage, resulting in less restorative sleep. 'Caffeine delays but does not prevent sleep, so even though we can sleep under the influence of caffeine, the brain, and therefore also sleep, is impacted by the drug,' Prof Thölke told PsyPost. 'It leads to shallower sleep with increased information processing during the sleep stages where the brain normally enters deep restorative rest.' The researchers also noted certain brain signals were flatter, suggesting that the under the influence of caffeine the brain more closely resembled a 'critical state'––where the brain is most responsive and adaptable. They also analysed how age affected caffeine's impact on the brain and sleep health. Generally, younger adults aged 20 to 27-years-old were more susceptible to caffeine's stimulant effects during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep compared to middle-aged adults. Researchers theorised that this could be because older people have less adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a chemical that builds up in the brain during waking hours eventually making us feel tired. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, making us feel more awake. The researchers suggested that because older adults have fewer receptors, the blocking effect of caffeine may not be so effective especially in REM sleep. During non-REM sleep however the effects of caffeine were broadly the same across all age groups. Researchers concluded therefore that caffeine has the ability to restructure the brain and impact how well we sleep. However, they acknowledged that their study only included healthy individuals so concluded that the findings could not be extrapolated to individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions like restless leg syndrome or Parkinson's. It comes as a study by The Sleep Charity last year found nine in ten people experience some sort of sleep problem. Poor sleep has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer, stroke and infertility. Experts have long advised that waking up during the night does not necessarily mean you have insomnia, which figures suggest affects up to 14million people in the UK. Yet, sleep deprivation takes its own toll, from irritability and reduced focus in the short term, to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can cheese turn your dreams into nightmares?
Dairy products might be meddling with your dreams. New research published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Psychology surveyed sleep habits, particularly dreams, and compared them with peoples' eating habits. One of the findings? The worse lactose intolerance symptoms people had, the more intense their nightmares were. The study may offer some answers to questions raised by research from 2015 that looked at factors that influence 'food-dependent dreaming' — in other words, how foods affect dreams. 'In the earlier study, people were blaming cheese all the time for their bad dreams,' said Tore Nielsen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal who co-authored both studies. 'And so I think we got some better answers in the study for that.' The study included just over 1,000 participants. People who responded that they had severe gastrointestinal symptoms from their lactose intolerance reported stronger nightmares, measured by the frequency of nightmares, the level of distress they caused, how much they impaired daily activities and the duration of the nightmares across months. The participants most commonly blamed their bad dreams on dairy and sweets. The participants took the survey as part of an undergraduate introductory psychology class. Because of that, the results may not apply to the wider population. Still, both the researchers and outside experts said there are plausible explanations for why a cheesy meal before bed could lead to bad dreams. Symptoms of anxiety that might accompany lactose intolerance could be creating more nightmares, Nielsen said. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the director at the Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said the sleep disturbances caused by gastrointestinal issues may explain the link. 'If you have GI issues, that could account for a lot of what's happening in terms of your sleep disturbances that could be associated with different dreams,' St-Onge said. Patrick McNamara, an associate professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine who studies the brain and sleep, said eating a trigger food for lactose intolerance may cause 'micro-arousals' that disturb sleep quality, resulting in stronger nightmares. However, both McNamara and the study authors cautioned that other factors unrelated to gastrointestinal symptoms could play a role, as well. Nielsen said he wants to see more research done on the link between dairy and dreams. Russell Powell, a co-author of the new study and professor emeritus of psychology at MacEwan University in Alberta, said they plan to try to replicate the findings in other groups. Still, people can look at their own diets and make decisions about aspects to change — interventions that don't necessarily need the assistance of a medical professional to do, Nielsen added. This article was originally published on
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Famous ‘mythical' side effect of eating cheese is REAL, experts find in landmark study – does it affect YOU?
CHEESE really can cause nightmares, a study claims. Experts reckon digesting dairy can cause gut pain that plays havoc with the sleeping brain. Polls of 1,082 people found those with lactose intolerance reported overall worse quality sleep and significantly more bad dreams, like those with horror film baddie Freddy Krueger. The researchers suggest even people without the condition might be affected. They said it is possible that dairy causes ' gastrointestinal disturbance ' that can disrupt sleep. Study author Dr Tore Nielsen, from the University of Montreal, in Canada, said: 'Nightmares are worse for lactose intolerant people who suffer severe gastrointestinal symptoms and whose sleep is disrupted. 'This makes sense because we know that other bodily sensations can affect dreaming. 'These findings imply that changing eating habits for people with food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares. 'They could also explain why people so often blame dairy for bad dreams. "We're routinely asked whether food affects dreaming. "Now we have some answers.' Top tips to help you sleep better at night 1
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
From Face Transplants to Fame: Dr. Gaby Doumit Named a 2025 Top Plastic Surgeon in Montreal by ThreeBestRated®
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, June 30, 2025 / / -- Dr. Gaby Doumit, a distinguished plastic surgeon, has been honored as one of the Top Three Plastic Surgeons in Montreal by ThreeBestRated® for 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights his unwavering dedication to surgical excellence, academic contributions, and compassionate care that has transformed thousands of lives. With over 15 years of experience and more than 12,000 procedures performed, Dr. Doumit's practice stands as a beacon of trust and innovation in the field of plastic surgery. What sets him apart is not just his surgical skill, but the depth of expertise he brings from both academic and clinical fronts. Dr. Gaby Doumit: Pioneering Achievements That Made Headlines Dr. Doumit is one of the few surgeons to perform minimally invasive cosmetic facial surgery using endoscopic technology. He is the first Canadian to perform two face transplants, which is a testament to his surgical precision and leadership in complex procedures. This groundbreaking work has garnered international attention, with coverage from major media outlets including CNN, CTV, National Geographic, and numerous other news organizations worldwide. Currently he serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Montreal. In his career, Dr. Doumit has held various prestigious positions and contributed a lot to the field of aesthetic medicine. He holds the position of Assistant Secretary and Executive Board Member of the ASMS and served as Chair of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery (ASMS) courses for seven years. On top of all, he has played a crucial role at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation during his venture. A Lifelong Commitment to Advancing Plastic Surgery Dr. Doumit is known as a sought-after speaker at both national and international plastic and reconstructive surgery conferences, where he shares pioneering insights that continue to advance the field of medical science. In his career, Dr. Doumit has authored over 49 scientific articles and 7 book chapters on various topics such as rhinoplasty, facelifts, breast augmentation, facial implants, and body contouring. His academic contributions have earned him a position on the editorial board of the prestigious journal 'Face,' where he helps shape the future of facial plastic surgery research. Dr. Doumit's credentials are impeccable, as he holds certifications from both Canadian and American medical boards. He is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for both general surgery and plastic surgery, as well as by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A Reputation Built on Results and Compassion Dr. Doumit's patients consistently praise his meticulous approach and result-driven approach. Through his unwavering dedication, he has built a reputation for himself and has earned an impressive 5.0-Star rating across social media platforms, which highlights the trust and satisfaction of his patients who have experienced his unparalleled care. Dr. Gaby Doumit CENTRE DE CHIRURGIE PLASTIQUE ET ESTHÉTIQUE DE MONTREAL +1 514-932-8200 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
