Weekly nightmares might predict premature death and speed up aging.
A study found that weekly nightmares made people 3x more likely to die prematurely (before the age of 75).
Here’s what they found and how to prevent premature death by nightmares. 🧵
A study found that weekly nightmares made people 3x more likely to die prematurely (before the age of 75).
Here’s what they found and how to prevent premature death by nightmares. 🧵
1/ The study is based on 4196 adults (age 26-74, 18-years of follow-up). Beyond increasing risk of premature death before 75, the findings showed that weekly nightmares accelerated aging, based on 3 epigenetic clocks:
+ Speed of aging (DunedinPACE)
+ Time until death prediction (GrimAge)
+ How old your body behaves physiologically (PhenoAge)
Nightmares are scary for your health.
They cause nocturnal stress on your body:
+ Resting heart rate jumps by up to 10bpm
+ Heart rate variability falls (bad for recovery)
+ Cortisol spikes, sympathetic activation, and accelerated breathing
Nightmares are more common during periods of high stress, in those with anxiety disorders, and in anyone with trauma‐related conditions like PTSD.
+ Speed of aging (DunedinPACE)
+ Time until death prediction (GrimAge)
+ How old your body behaves physiologically (PhenoAge)
Nightmares are scary for your health.
They cause nocturnal stress on your body:
+ Resting heart rate jumps by up to 10bpm
+ Heart rate variability falls (bad for recovery)
+ Cortisol spikes, sympathetic activation, and accelerated breathing
Nightmares are more common during periods of high stress, in those with anxiety disorders, and in anyone with trauma‐related conditions like PTSD.
2/ Reduce nightmare frequency by treating root causes and following a good sleep protocol.
3/ Treat root causes:
+ address anxiety or PTSD with psychotherapies
+ conduct a thorough review of meds with nightmares as a side-effect
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is a targeted psychotherapy that flips the nightmare script to consciously reimagine and replace it with a new dream, during the day. It has moderate effects comparable to medication (Prazosin) in smaller cohorts.
+ address anxiety or PTSD with psychotherapies
+ conduct a thorough review of meds with nightmares as a side-effect
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is a targeted psychotherapy that flips the nightmare script to consciously reimagine and replace it with a new dream, during the day. It has moderate effects comparable to medication (Prazosin) in smaller cohorts.
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