{"id":465285,"date":"2022-06-19T16:27:31","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T13:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/"},"modified":"2022-06-19T16:27:31","modified_gmt":"2022-06-19T13:27:31","slug":"the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/","title":{"rendered":"#The science behind nightmares and most common scary dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3688e966700\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3688e966700\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#%E2%80%9CThe_science_behind_nightmares_and_most_common_scary_dreams%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The science behind nightmares and most common scary dreams&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#What_are_dreams\" >What are dreams?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#Why_do_we_dream\" >Why do we dream?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#Why_do_we_have_nightmares\" >Why do we have nightmares?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#How_can_I_stop_having_nightmares\" >How can I stop having nightmares?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#Which_side_should_I_sleep_on\" >Which side should I sleep on?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/#Most_common_scary_dreams\" >Most common scary dreams<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_science_behind_nightmares_and_most_common_scary_dreams%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The science behind nightmares and most common scary dreams&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>If you are someone who gets nightmares often, then you may be able to alleviate them \u2013 here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<p>The study of\u00a0dreams\u00a0is a complex one, and there are still many things researchers don\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_dreams\"><\/span>What are dreams?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Dreams are stories and images that our minds create while we sleep.<\/p>\n<p>Every person on the planet experiences at least three to six dreams per night, with each dream lasting around 5 to 20 minutes, according to\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/284378#_noHeaderPrefixedContent\">Medical News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Dreams can be bizarre, romantic, whimsical, sexual, and in some cases, just plain scary \u2013 these are known as \u2018nightmares\u2019.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_we_dream\"><\/span>Why do we dream?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sigmund Freud, one of the founding fathers of modern psychology, believed that dreams are a way for the mind to release repressed thoughts and feelings, as noted by\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/the-science-behind-dreaming\/\">Scientific American<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Today, however, researchers are divided on the subject \u2013 some think that dreams have no meaning, while others believe it\u2019s the brain\u2019s subconscious process for unpacking emotions or mental trauma.<\/p>\n<p>Nightmares, specifically, are a topic that perplexes scientists, as they can not only be very confusing, but quite distressful.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_we_have_nightmares\"><\/span>Why do we have nightmares?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to definitively say why people have nightmares, though we know they most often occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.<\/p>\n<p>And while scientists cannot pinpoint the exact cause, they have been able to link several factors to an increased likelihood of having scary dreams.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-02.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Woman in bed.\" class=\"wp-image-22722647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-02.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Stress or anxiety, trauma, sleep deprivation, certain medication, drug misuse, and scary books and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">movies<\/a> can trigger nightmares.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Such triggers include stress or anxiety, trauma, sleep deprivation, certain medication, drug misuse, and high consumption of scary books and movies, according to the\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/nightmare-disorder\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20353515#:~:text=Nightmares%20can%20be%20triggered%20by,can%20have%20the%20same%20effect.\">Mayo Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In some instances, a person may have scary dreams so often that they are diagnosed with \u201cNightmare disorder\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_stop_having_nightmares\"><\/span>How can I stop having nightmares?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As far as scientists know, it\u2019s impossible to completely eliminate nightmares.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are several ways to treat bad dreams depending on the presumed cause, according to researchers at Harvard University.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst, the cause of the stress, if there is one, must be determined. If a stressor is identified, effective ways to manage it should be found,\u201d the researchers\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hms.harvard.edu\/news-events\/publications-archive\/brain\/nightmares-brain#:~:text=It%20is%20during%20these%20REM,usually%20occur%20halfway%20through%20slumber.\">explained<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor medication-induced nightmares, dosages might need to be altered or different drugs administered.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those with post-traumatic or chronic nightmares could benefit from seeking psychological therapy.<\/p>\n<p>And, some studies have also found that people who suffer from nightmares might be able to alleviate their discomfort by changing their sleep position.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, an associate professor at Hong Kong Yan University, Calvin Kai-Ching Yu, PhD, found that people who sleep on their backs experience more nightmares and find it harder to remember their dreams.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDifferent sleep positions may create pressure on different parts of the body, and body feelings may be the sources of dream elements,\u201d Yu said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-04.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Woman yawning and sitting up in bed.\" class=\"wp-image-22722649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Those with post-traumatic or chronic nightmares could benefit from psychological therapy.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_side_should_I_sleep_on\"><\/span>Which side should I sleep on?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s advised that you sleep in the position that is most comfortable to you as you don\u2019t want to disrupt your quality of slumber.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>However, one study led by Dr. Mehmet Yucel Agargun at the YuZunCu Yil University found that people who sleep on their right side have dreams of safety and relief.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, sleeping on your left side may be connected to intense emotions and insecurity.<\/p>\n<p>And if you\u2019re a stomach sleeper, you may notice you have more erotic-type dreams.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Most_common_scary_dreams\"><\/span>Most common scary dreams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While nightmares are not fun to have, it may help to know that you\u2019re not alone in experiencing scary dreams.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, most nightmares people have, assuming they\u2019re not trauma-induced, are very common.<\/p>\n<p>One\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/amerisleep.com\/blog\/what-are-the-most-common-nightmares\/\">study<\/a>\u00a0which surveyed 2,000 people found that the most common nightmare is of falling.<\/p>\n<p>A close second was being chased, followed by death, and feeling lost.<\/p>\n<p>Coming in at fifth and sixth places are feeling tr<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ed and being attacked.<\/p>\n<p>Rounding out the top ten nightmares are missing an important event, waking up late, experiencing the passing of a loved one, and sustaining injury.<\/p>\n<p><em>This story originally appeared on <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/tech\/5578634\/science-nightmares-experts-scary-dreams\/\"><em>The Sun<\/em><\/a><em> and has been reproduced here with permission.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/06\/19\/the-science-behind-nightmares-and-most-common-scary-dreams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The science behind nightmares and most common scary dreams&#8221; If you are someone who gets nightmares often, then you may be able to alleviate them \u2013 here\u2019s what you need to know. The study of\u00a0dreams\u00a0is a complex one, and there are still many things researchers don\u2019t understand. What are dreams? Dreams are stories and images&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":465286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/06\/sleeping-trouble-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[56207,130492,129182,71140],"class_list":["post-465285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-sleep","tag-6-19-22","tag-dream","tag-sleeping"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}