Can you sleep without dreaming

There are, however, some known culprits that disrupt normal sleep patterns and reduce total time spent in REM sleep. A big one is obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that interferes with nighttime breathing and causes people to wake up many times throughout the night. Other aspects of modern life — including alcohol, drugs, nicotine, the use of artificial light at night and dependency on alarm clocks — interferes with REM sleep as well, Naiman writes in his review.

For better sleep overall , it helps to sleep in a cool, dark room and go to bed at the same time every night, Walker says. Practicing other aspects of good sleep hygiene — like powering down electronics and nixing the nightcap — may also help improve your sleep —and maybe even your dreams. Contact us at letters time. By Amanda MacMillan. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

Sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea , can keep you from entering the REM sleep cycle. Insomnia can increase your risk for:. Among adults with depression , up to 90 percent report trouble sleeping, and insomnia is the most common complaint. That could account for fewer or less-memorable dreams.

But depression may also increase disturbing dreams or nightmares. Sleep problems are highly prevalent in people with bipolar disorder. Sleep problems may lead up to an episode of mania or depression. Between 69 and 99 percent of people experiencing a manic episode experience sleep disruption such as needing less sleep or having trouble falling asleep. Insomnia can be a risk factor for developing anxiety or a result of anxiety. Sleep problems are reported by people who have:. Although lack of REM sleep can cut down on dreams, people with anxiety are more likely to have scary dreams.

You may not have vivid dreams when taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , such as fluoxetine Prozac or sertraline Zoloft. These are often prescribed for anxiety or depression. Lack of quality sleep can make mental health disorders worse, and mental health disorders can exacerbate sleep problems.

You wake up with a dream on your mind. Minutes later, you can no longer recall it. Better sleep may help you remember your dreams. Here are some tips for getting quality sleep :. Lack of sleep can worsen existing health problems or lead to poor overall health. It can also be a sign that you have an underlying condition, such as sleep apnea or insomnia , that your healthcare provider should address.

There are many effective treatments for sleep disorders. See a doctor if you have other signs of depression , such as:. Brightly lit screens can trick your brain into thinking it's morning and interrupt your sleep cycle. Turn off all electronics in your room at least an hour before you go to bed for more restful sleep. Method 3. Make your bedroom a comfortable relaxing place. To prevent nightmares, your bedroom should be used for one thing: sleeping.

Avoid doing stressful activities, like work or resolving personal issues, in your room so you can go to sleep without feeling anxious.

The more emotionally troubled you are while going to sleep, the more likely you are to have a nightmare. Sleep on your right side rather than your left side. Your sleep position can influence the quality of your dreams, and those who sleep on their left side are more likely to have nightmares. If you frequently experience nightmares, try sleeping on your right side for better dreams. Avoid spicy, carb-heavy, or sugary foods before bed.

All of these foods can irritate your stomach and are more likely to cause weird or distressing dreams. If you feel hungry at night, eat something mild like cherries, rice, or sweet potatoes.

Try to understand the significance of your dream. After a distressing dream, assigning meaning to it can help you learn from it and overcome your nightmare. Think about what symbolism the dream could have in your life to better understand it and prevent recurring dreams. Talk to your teacher about ways to better manage your workload. Try searching the imagery on a dream dictionary site, if you can't figure out what it means.

Rehearse recurring nightmares to resolve them. If you struggle with recurring nightmares, try to picture it in your head and go through the scenes in your mind. Before you get to the climax of the nightmare, tweak the nightmare's events in a way that changes and resolves the frightening situation. You can even read aloud the dream with the new ending before bed to take control of the story. If you have a recurring dream that you realize you're only wearing your underwear at work, for example, imagine yourself realizing that you're underdressed in the car and changing into work clothes before you get there.

Talk to a counselor if nightmares are affecting your sleep. If you deal with insomnia or anxiety as a result of your nightmares, you may need professional help to overcome them. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or therapist to reduce your nightmares over time. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Among those who experience dreamless sleep, many still do dream but might not remember it in the morning. These techniques can decrease the risk of remembering dreams or experiencing unpleasant ones, but may not eliminate them entirely.

Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Instead of getting rid of dreams, another way to overcome irritating dreams is to control them through lucid dreaming. Try lucid dreaming if you want to be more self-aware while you sleep. National Institutes of Health Go to source.

While dreamless sleep is usually harmless, frequent occurrences is linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Keep this in mind as a possible, although highly unlikely, connection before trying to induce dreamless sleep regularly.

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