Critically Speaking 143 The mental health crisis: dreams and nightmares
In this culture where dreams and nightmares are such a part of our everyday language, the question becomes, what is dreaming? We all dream, so what does it mean, and how does it impact other areas of our lives, such as our mental health? In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Michael Nadorff discuss these questions, as well as diving deeper into the different cycles of sleep, the changes in our dreams and sleep as we age, different types of nightmare therapies, and the relationship between nightmares and suicide.
Key Takeaways:
- All dreams, good and bad, occur during the REM cycles of our sleep. The amount of REM sleep increases as the night goes on and, consequently, dreams get longer too.
- Sleep loves the cold. If you fall asleep in too warm of an environment, during REM sleep when your temperature drops, you are more likely to wake up feeling overheated.
- Having nightmares significantly increased the likelihood of future suicide attempts in those who had previously attempted suicide.
"REM is so important to us that, if you are sleep deprived, your body actually prioritizes REM, and it makes it even that much more intensive." — Dr. Michael Nadorff
Connect with Dr. Michael Nadorff:
Professional Bio: psychology.msstate.edu/people/michael-r-nadorff/
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Twitter: @CritiSpeak
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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