A new study spearheaded by researchers in Australia suggests that individuals experiencing frequent unsettling dreams might face an elevated risk of dementia.

The research tracked over 10,000 participants aged 60 to 89, inquiring about the frequency of their disturbing dreams each week.

Disturbing dreams, according to the study’s authors, encompass both nightmares and bad dreams—vivid dreams intense enough to awaken the sleeper.

Lead researcher Dr. Darren Lipnicki explained, “While nightmares specifically refer to dreams that disrupt sleep, there are other intense dreams that don’t necessarily wake individuals but share a similar emotional impact.”

Approximately 25% of participants reported experiencing such dreams, and the study—conducted in partnership with scientists across Europe, Asia, and the Americas—revealed a possible connection between frequent bad dreams and an increased likelihood of developing dementia later on.

The findings indicated that adults aged 60 to 69 who frequently have bad dreams are four times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

“We found the strongest association in people in their 60s, which may suggest that disturbing dreams could be an early marker of dementia risk for some individuals,” Lipnicki said.

Researchers say the do not know the reason why bad dreams and dementia could be linked, but they believe it could be a sign of early changes in the brain chemistry, as well as the impacts of long-term chronic stress on the brain.

It found men were far more likely to experience this link, with Lipnicki stating there was little evidence for women to be affected by this new phenomenon.

“I think the reason for this has to do with the pathology and the type of dementia that’s involved,” he said.

However, he was at pains to suggest it wasn’t a set in stone finding, instead that it could be used to guide future research on the issue.

This is especially important as our population begins to age.

“It’s important to emphasise that not everyone who experiences disturbing dreams will go on to develop dementia,” he said.

“However, the findings suggest that frequent disturbing dreams – particularly in men and adults in their 60s – may warrant further investigation in future research.”

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