New research results, which were presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 today, show that frequent nightmares are associated with a significantly accelerated biological aging and a more than three times increased risk of premature death. This study is the first to show that nightmares predicting faster biological aging and earlier mortality – even after taking other health problems into account.
Under the direction of DR Abidemi Otaiku from the UK Dementia Research Institute and the Imperial College London, the data of 2,429 children aged 8 to 10 years and 183 012 adults between 26 to 86 years from six long -term population covenant were analyzed.
The frequency of nightmares in adults was given at the beginning of the study, with the participants being observed for up to 19 years. In children, the frequency of nightmares was given by the parents at the beginning of the study.
The results showed that adults who reported on weekly nightmares had a more than three times as high risk of dying prematurely (before the age of 70) than those who have rarely or never had nightmares. Children and adults with more frequent nightmares also showed faster biological aging, which was responsible for around 40 % of the increased death disease.
In particular, it was found that weekly nightmares are a stronger predictor of early death than other known risk factors such as smoking, obesity, poor nutrition and low physical activity.
“Our sleeping brain cannot distinguish dreams from reality,” explains Dr. Otaiku. “That is why we often wake up sweaty in nightmares, pushing air and with a pounding heart-because our combat or flight reaction was triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience in wake up.”
He continued: “Albares lead to a continued increase in the cortisol level, a stress hormone that is closely connected to faster cell age. In people who often have nightmares, this cumulative stress can significantly influence the aging process. In addition, nightmares disturb both the quality and the duration of sleep and affect the nocturnal cell renewal and repair for the body. Effects of chronic stress and disturbed sleep are likely to contribute to the accelerated aging of our cells and our body. “
The connection between frequent nightmares and accelerated aging remained across all age groups, genders, ethnic groups and psychological health states, which indicates a universal effect. Even monthly nightmares were associated with a faster aging and a higher mortality as rare or no nightmares, which underlines how important it is to reduce the frequency of nightmares in the population.
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