” Nightmare seriousness is robustly connected with lactose intolerance and other food allergic reactions, “stated Dr. Tore Nielsen, a scientist at the Université de Montréal.

“These brand-new findings indicate that altering eating routines for individuals with some food level of sensitivities might ease headaches. “

“They might likewise discuss why individuals so frequently blame dairy for bad dreams!”

For the research study, the authors 1,082 trainees at MacEwan University inquired about bedtime and quality, dreams and problems, and any viewed association in between various type of dreams and various foods.

They likewise inquired about individuals’ psychological and physical health and their relationship with food.

About a 3rd of participants reported routine problems. Ladies were most likely to bear in mind their dreams and to report bad sleep and headaches, and almost two times as most likely as guys to report a food intolerance or allergic reaction.

About 40% of individuals stated that they believed consuming late during the night or particular foods impacted their sleep; approximately 25% believed specific foods might make their sleep even worse.

Individuals who consumed less healthily were most likely to have unfavorable dreams and less most likely to bear in mind dreams.

“We are regularly asked whether food impacts dreaming– particularly by reporters on food-centric vacations. Now we have some responses,” Dr. Nielsen stated.

Many individuals who blamed their bad sleep on food believed sugary foods, hot foods, or dairy were accountable.

Just a relatively little percentage– 5.5% of participants– felt that what they consumed impacted the tone of their dreams, however much of these individuals stated they believed sugary foods or dairy made their dreams more troubling or unusual.

When the scientists compared reports of food intolerances to reports of bad dreams and bad sleep, they discovered that lactose intolerance was connected with intestinal signs, headaches, and low sleep quality.

It’s possible that consuming dairy triggers intestinal disruption, and the resulting pain impacts individuals’s dreams and the quality of their rest.

“Nightmares are even worse for lactose intolerant individuals who suffer serious intestinal signs and whose sleep is interrupted,” Dr. Nielsen stated.

“This makes good sense, due to the fact that we understand that other physical experiences can impact dreaming.”

“Nightmares can be really disruptive, specifically if they take place typically, due to the fact that they tend to awaken individuals from sleep in a dysphoric state.”

“They may likewise produce sleep avoidance habits.”

“Both signs can rob you of peaceful sleep.”

The findings appear in the journal Frontiers in Psychology

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Tore Nielsen et al2025. More imagine the rarebit fiend: food level of sensitivity and dietary correlates of sleep and dreaming. Front. Psychol 16; doi: 10.3389/ fpsyg.2025.1544475