Nightmares Triple the Risk of Early Death
Stronger Predictor Than Smoking or Obesity, Study Finds
A new study has found that people who frequently experience nightmares have a three times higher risk of early death compared to those who do not. The researchers explained that nightmares are a stronger predictor of early mortality than factors such as smoking or obesity.
According to reports from the UK’s Independent and Daily Mail on June 24 (local time), a research team led by Dr. Abidemi Otaiku at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute recently presented these findings at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN).
The researchers analyzed the association between nightmares and early death in 2,429 children aged 8 to 10 and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86. At the beginning of the study, participants reported how frequently they experienced nightmares, and the researchers tracked and analyzed their data for up to 19 years.
The analysis found that adults who reported having nightmares at least once a week had a three times higher risk of dying before the age of 70 compared to those who did not. Additionally, by measuring participants’ telomere length to assess biological aging, the study found that both children and adults who frequently had nightmares showed faster biological aging. Telomeres are DNA structures at the ends of chromosomes, and shorter telomeres are known to indicate faster aging. Those who frequently experienced nightmares had shorter telomeres on average, which accounted for about 40% of the risk of early death.
The research team explained that nightmares are a stronger predictor of early mortality than smoking, obesity, unhealthy eating habits, or lack of physical activity.
As the underlying reason for these results, the researchers pointed to chronic stress and sleep disturbances caused by nightmares as factors that accelerate the body’s aging. First, nightmares trigger intense stress responses and stimulate the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged exposure to this hormone can lead to high blood pressure, muscle damage, chronic fatigue, and insomnia, which can collectively result in accelerated aging throughout the body. In addition, nightmares reduce both the quality and duration of sleep, which interferes with the body’s nighttime cellular repair and recovery, increasing the risk of various health problems, including heart disease.
Dr. Otaiku, who led the study, stated, "Even those who frequently experience nightmares on a monthly basis, not just weekly, had a higher probability of early death compared to those who do not. This association was consistent across all ages, genders, races, and mental health statuses."
He further emphasized, "Nightmares are common, but they should never be taken lightly. People who experience persistent nightmares should check their sleep environment and actively adopt lifestyle habits to reduce stress and anxiety." He also advised that simple measures, such as managing stress and anxiety, avoiding horror movies, and making the sleep environment more comfortable, can help reduce nightmares.
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