New research warns: Watch out! Nightmares can shorten life
Scientists have investigated the effects of nightmares on human health and have reached striking conclusions. The research, led by neurologist Dr. Abidemi Otaiku, revealed that nightmares can increase the risk of premature death.
Dr. Otaiku and his team examined data from more than 183,000 adults aged 26 to 86 and 2,400 children aged 8 to 10. The study showed that those who had nightmares once a week were three times more likely to die before the age of 70 compared to those who did not have nightmares.
"When we sleep, our brain cannot distinguish between dreams and reality. Having nightmares can be a strong indicator of the risk of premature death," Dr. Otaiku said.
Scientists from Imperial College London have stated that the stress during a nightmare can be much more intense than the stress felt while awake.
The study assessed participants’ biological aging based on their telomere length. Telomeres are structures at the ends of chromosomes that shrink as we age. Those who had nightmares regularly had shorter telomeres, which meant accelerated biological aging and a 40% higher risk of premature death.
Researchers believe that intense stress and sleep disorders caused by nightmares may increase this risk. It has also been emphasized that nightmares may be linked to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease .
mynet
