Experts saying the problem is a ‘stronger predictor of premature death’ than smoking
A scientist has warned that experiencing nightmares on a weekly basis could potentially accelerate the ageing process and even triple the risk of premature death.
The study found that individuals who report having nightmares weekly are over three times more likely to die before reaching 70, compared to those who rarely or never have them.
Alarmingly for those with poor sleep patterns, the research identified nightmares as a “stronger predictor of premature death” than factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, and low physical activity.
The research team, led by Dr Abidemi Otaiku from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, scrutinised data from 2,429 children aged between eight and ten, and 183,012 adults aged between 26 and 86, over a span of 19 years.
They discovered that those reporting weekly nightmares were over three times more likely to die before hitting 70, compared to those who claimed they seldom or never experienced nightmares.
Dr Otaiku stated: “Individuals who experience more frequent nightmares age faster and die earlier.”
According to Otaiku, there’s a clear link, with his team also finding that the frequency of nightmares is a stronger predictor of early death than smoking, obesity, poor diet or lack of physical activity. These findings were presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025 in Helsinki, Finland, on 23 June.
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The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep are believed to contribute to the accelerated ageing of our cells and bodies.
Dr Otaiku explained, “Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality. That’s why nightmares often wake us up sweating, gasping for breath, and with our hearts pounding – because our fight-or-flight response has been triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience while awake.”
The research team also examined the biological age of participants by measuring the length of telomeres, which are tiny DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides, a process linked to premature ageing. The study involved about 2,400 children aged between 8 and 10, with parents reporting on the frequency of their children’s nightmares.
Adults in the study underwent an additional biological age assessment using molecular markers known as epigenetic clocks. Otaiku found a consistent link between frequent nightmares and accelerated ageing across all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds.
“Even in childhood, people who have more frequent nightmares have short telomeres, indicating faster cellular ageing,” he revealed.
For the adults, the rapid biological ageing accounted for roughly 40 per cent of their increased risk of mortality. As for the reasons behind this connection, Otaiku suggests it might be down to two factors.
One theory he proposes is that nightmares may trigger sustained high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is known to cause quicker cellular ageing.
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“Nightmares often wake us with our hearts pounding, in a stress reaction more intense than anything we experience when awake,” he elaborated.
The second factor is sleep disruption, which can interfere with the body’s nocturnal cellular repair processes. Such sleep disturbances have been associated with an increased risk of numerous health problems, including heart disease.
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Dr Otaiku suggested that if people are eager to dodge recurring nightmares, there are usually simple solutions which may involve avoiding horror films and addressing mental health issues such as anxiety.
He stated that basic steps like maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress, seeking treatment for anxiety or depression, and refraining from watching frightening films can be effective in curbing nightmares.