Can caffeine also influence your dreams? The sleep specialist clarifies

Can caffeine also influence your dreams? The sleep specialist clarifies


Experts have studied how the substance reduces the frequency of more intense dreams and the ability to remember them

Sleep researchers have observed an increase in a phenomenon so far commented little: the occurrence of more vivid dreams after reducing the consumption of caffeine. The influence of the substance on rest is already widely known, but its interference with night costumes has started to recently become the goal of the research.




After all, what explains this action of caffeine?

In an article published in ‘The conversation’specialists Charlotte GUPTA AND Carissa Gardiner They said that the explanation of the phenomenon of dreams is in the way caffeine affects neurotransmitters.

According to professionals, the substance blocks the production of adenosine. This compound usually accumulates during the day, which makes us feel sleepy at night. So, inhibiting its action, caffeine makes it difficult to arrive Rem, Rest period in which the body is relaxed and the most intense dreams occur.

“The point is that there are not many concrete tests that refer to reducing the drink to intense dreams. However, there may be an association. Caffeine strikes our rest, which affects dreams. And when we remove the caffeine from the equation, this can give the brain the opportunity to spend more time in deep sleep”, “,” explain.

How to avoid the influence of the substance?

Gupta and Gardiner, however, underline that the effects only have when the coffee is consumed in the afternoon or times closer to rest. This is because half of the substance continues to act on the body for about three or six hours after ingestion.

Therefore, to ensure more intense dreams and be able to remember them better, experts suggest reducing caffeine or avoiding it for at least eight hours to bed. In the case of large doses, it is recommended to interrupt consumption up to 12 hours before rest.

“Of course, sleep is complex, just like dreams. Not everyone will suddenly have vivid dreams after leaving caffeine and the effect can last only a few days or weeks”, They finally underlined the researchers.

Source: Terra

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