Weekly nightmares might predict premature death and speed up aging. A study found that weekly nightmares made people 3x more likely to die prematurely (before the age of 75). Here’s what they found and how to prevent premature death by nightmares. 🧵

1/ The study is based on 4196 adults (age 26-74, 18-years of follow-up). Beyond increasing risk of premature death before 75, the findings showed that weekly nightmares accelerated aging, based on 3 epigenetic clocks: + Speed of aging (DunedinPACE) + Time until death prediction (GrimAge) + How old your body behaves physiologically (PhenoAge) Nightmares are scary for your health. They cause nocturnal stress on your body: + Resting heart rate jumps by up to 10bpm + Heart rate variability falls (bad for recovery) + Cortisol spikes, sympathetic activation, and accelerated breathing Nightmares are more common during periods of high stress, in those with anxiety disorders, and in anyone with trauma‐related conditions like PTSD.

2/ Reduce nightmare frequency by treating root causes and following a good sleep protocol.

3/ Treat root causes: + address anxiety or PTSD with psychotherapies + conduct a thorough review of meds with nightmares as a side-effect Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is a targeted psychotherapy that flips the nightmare script to consciously reimagine and replace it with a new dream, during the day. It has moderate effects comparable to medication (Prazosin) in smaller cohorts.