Research presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025 reveals a troubling link between frequent nightmares and accelerated biological aging, with participants experiencing monthly nightmares showing a significantly increased risk of premature mortality.

The study, believed to be the first of its kind, analyzed data from over 183,000 adults and found that those suffering from weekly nightmares were more than three times as likely to die before the age of 70 compared to those who rarely or never experienced them.

Nightmares emerged as a stronger predictor of premature death than other known risk factors, including smoking, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

Led by Dr. Abidemi Otaiku from Imperial College London, the research highlights the stress induced by nightmares, which can trigger a fight-or-flight response, resulting in physical symptoms such as sweating and gasping for breath.

Nightmares contribute to prolonged elevations of cortisol, a stress hormone linked to accelerated cellular aging, while also disrupting sleep quality and duration, which are essential for bodily restoration.

Biological aging was measured through telomere length, with shorter telomeres indicating a greater biological age, further supporting the findings on the health impacts of nightmares.

The researchers advocate for recognizing nightmares as a significant public health concern, emphasizing the need to take their health consequences seriously due to their prevalence and impact.

Individuals who regularly experience nightmares exhibit signs of accelerated biological aging, indicating that their physical condition reflects greater wear and tear than their chronological age would suggest.

To combat nightmares, effective prevention and treatment options include avoiding scary media, maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and seeking professional help for anxiety or depression, according to Dr. Otaiku.

The findings suggest that the health consequences of frequent nightmares may have significant implications for overall health and longevity, warranting further attention from the medical community.