Secrets of nightmares

The study of dreams - one of the most interesting and little-investigated areas in the study of our nervous system. Professionally engaged in it a sleep specialists. All people snyaschuyusya horror, they are divided into nightmares and night terrors.

Nightmares   visit the person in the phase of the so-called REM sleep. Their stories can be very intricate and terrible. And though after waking up, we can more or less well to remember what we dreamed of, no longer feel fear. Our vegetative reactions are normal - or you cold sweat, no heartbeat.

Nature night terrors somewhat different. Fears make us suffer from the experiences during deep sleep phase (an hour or two after falling asleep), in which is believed to be dreaming in general should not be. In contrast to the nightmare, Night terrors It does not have a complicated plot. Man sees it for one to two minutes. In his blood at this time boils adrenaline, heart pounding. But as a rule, at such moments, he does not wake up completely, and in the morning does not remember his dream of terror. In somnology there is a version that at this moment sleeping man is facing a fundamentally new to the flow of information.

Why nightmares

Scientists still can not say exactly, Why nightmares   at night. Numerous studies show that most of the hostages night terrors are people who in their everyday life are exposed to serious nervous-mental stress.

According to researchers from Yeshiva University in New York, bad dreams are a product of the brain, which is trying to cope with stress and negative emotions. Managing emotions occurs during REM sleep, when most dreams we dream. Dreams, according to scientists - is a method of treating unpleasant memories and emotions that a person has to experience in their lives. When falling asleep puts his mind bad memories for a certain context, and thus dissipate the fears associated with them. To prove that at this time in certain parts of the brain, including the limbic system, which is responsible for the management of emotions and memory, it made a very active brain activity.

But if in the process of emotional regulation fails, one sees instead of the "normal" sleep nightmare.

Factors that trigger nightmares

Anxiety and stress.   Most sources of stress, and hence the nightmares are work, concern for the financial well-being, a great change in his life - moving or divorce.

Spicy and fatty foods.   Some studies have shown that consumption of food just before bedtime can lead to increased metabolism and excessive brain activity and cause nightmares.

Alcohol.   The effect is drowsiness, which he calls, quickly passes, and there comes a premature awakening. In the brain it affects not the best way.

Medications.   Some medications, including antidepressants, barbiturates and narcotics, may have unpleasant side effects and cause nightmares. In addition, a sleep disorder can cause ketamine for anesthesia is typically used. Or Lariam - antimalarial drug.

Disease.   Malaise, followed by fever and fever (flu, SARS), often cause the patient nightmares. Such complex sleep disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy, can also cause the appearance of nightmares.

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