Study Shows How Your Diet Could Be Shaping Your Dreams and Nightmares - Video

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology delves into a question many people have wondered about: can the food we eat affect our dreams? By surveying over 1,000 Canadian psychology students, researchers explored how diet, food allergies, and intolerances may impact not only sleep quality but also the vividness and type of dreams, including nightmares.

The study revealed that more than 40% of participants felt certain foods either improved or worsened their sleep quality, while around 5% believed their diet influenced their dreams, with desserts, sweets, and dairy cited most often. Those with food allergies or gluten intolerance were more likely to perceive a connection between food and dreaming, and participants with lactose intolerance reported poorer sleep alongside more frequent and severe nightmares.

Notably, the researchers found a link between gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain and the occurrence of nightmares in individuals with lactose intolerance. This supports growing evidence for the gut-brain axis, which connects digestive health with brain function and mental states. Their findings suggest that discomfort in the gut can manifest as psychological symptoms during sleep.

The study also highlighted potential implications for disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where nightmares are common. It suggested that dietary assessments and adjustments could become useful tools in managing such conditions. While these results are correlational and do not prove cause and effect, the researchers call for controlled experiments to better understand how specific foods impact dreams.

Practical advice includes avoiding heavy, sugary, or spicy foods late at night and choosing lactose-free options if intolerant. Tracking how certain foods affect sleep and dreams can help individuals fine-tune their diets for better rest.

Reference: Nielsen T, Powell RA. Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend: food and diet as instigators of bizarre and disturbing dreams. Frontiers in Psychology; 2015 Feb 17;6:47. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00047. PMID: 25741294; PMCID: PMC4330685.