A recent study presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress revealed a link between frequent nightmares and accelerated aging, raising concerns over increased mortality risk. Adults who report experiencing nightmares on a weekly basis are more than three times as likely to die before the age of 70 compared to those who rarely or never have them.
Led by Dr. Abidemi Otaiku from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, the research analyzed data from over 183,000 adults aged between 26 and 86 years, alongside approximately 2,400 children aged 8 to 10 years. Participants were drawn from six long-term population cohorts, with adults tracked for periods ranging from 1.5 to 19 years. At the outset, adults self-reported the frequency of their nightmares, while parents provided this information for the children.
"The study found nightmares to be a stronger predictor of premature death than smoking, obesity, poor diet, and low physical activity," reported The Independent. This highlights the potential severity of frequent nightmares as a public health concern.
Dr. Otaiku explained the physiological impact of nightmares on the body. "Nightmares often wake us with our hearts pounding, in a stress reaction more intense than anything we experience when awake," he said, according to The Independent. He further elaborated on how this stress response can have lasting effects. "Nightmares lead to a sustained increase in cortisol levels, a stress hormone closely associated with faster cellular aging. In people who frequently have nightmares, this cumulative stress can significantly affect the aging process."
The research also uncovered that faster biological aging accounted for approximately 40% of the heightened mortality risk associated with frequent nightmares. Both children and adults who experienced more frequent nightmares exhibited signs of accelerated aging. "Even in childhood, people who have more frequent nightmares have short telomeres, indicating faster cellular aging," Dr. Otaiku stated, as cited by The Independent.
Telomeres are small DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides. Shorter telomeres are linked to premature aging. In the study, the adults' biological age was additionally assessed using molecular markers known as epigenetic clocks, providing further evidence of the relationship between nightmares and aging.
"Nightmares disrupt both sleep quality and duration," noted The Independent. "Disrupted sleep impairs the body's overnight cellular restoration and repair ability," the publication added, emphasizing the compounded effects of chronic stress and sleep disturbance on cellular aging.
Given these findings, the researchers advocate for increased public health awareness. "The findings should be treated as a public health concern, emphasizing the importance of reducing nightmare frequency across the population," reported The Independent. Dr. Otaiku urged that nightmares should be taken more seriously. "Given how common and modifiable nightmares are, they should be taken far more seriously as a public health concern," he said.
Encouragingly, there are effective strategies to mitigate the frequency of nightmares. "The good news is that nightmares can be prevented and treated," Dr. Otaiku said, according to The Independent. Simple measures can make a difference. "People can reduce nightmares by managing stress, which may help mitigate the associated risks of aging and premature death," the publication reported. Practical steps include maintaining good sleep hygiene, seeking treatment for anxiety or depression, managing stress, and avoiding scary films before bedtime.
"The links between nightmares and aging or mortality were consistent across all ages, sexes, ethnicities, and mental health statuses, indicating a universal effect," according to The Independent. This suggests that reducing nightmare frequency could have broad implications for public health and longevity.
In light of these revelations, further research is encouraged to explore the causal mechanisms behind nightmares and accelerated aging. While the association is clear, understanding the underlying processes could lead to more targeted interventions. As Dr. Otaiku and his team have shown, addressing the often-overlooked issue of frequent nightmares could be a vital component in promoting healthier aging and reducing early mortality risks.
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