Caffeine does not cause abnormal dreams, but ingesting it before you go to sleep may lead to the type of restless, light sleep in which some abnormal dreams take place. Dreams have inspired Nobel prizes, inventions, novels, visual art and films, but they can also be disturbing and undesirable. If you are regularly troubled by abnormal dreams, consult your doctor to develop a treatment plan.
About Abnormal Dreams
Abnormal dreams are a type of parasomnia. Other parasomnias include sleepwalking, sleep talking, head-banging, bed-wetting and teeth-grinding. Many abnormal dreams take place during REM sleep, a stage of light sleep characterized by rapid eye movements. Other dreams, typically less anxiety-ridden in tone, take place during deep sleep. People with extreme REM sleep disorders may become physically active during dreams, which can be dangerous. Strange dreams can also be a side effect of drugs, including those prescribed to aid cigarette withdrawal and psychopharmaceuticals. Pregnancy may also feature vivid dreaming. Elevated levels of the hormone progesterone may play a role in your pregnancy dreams; heightened emotions, anxiety and more frequent awakening may also contribute.
Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some sodas. Drinking caffeine makes many people more alert by stimulating the central nervous system. It can also elevate mood. Drinking caffeine in the evening may interfere with sleep, keeping you awake. If you drink a lot of caffeine and thus have difficulty sleeping, you may experience more periods of REM sleep than usual, making you more vulnerable to unsettling dreams. If you suspect that you have a negative reaction to caffeine that includes abnormal dreams, avoid it altogether. Alternatively, avoid caffeine within six hours of bedtime, as the substance takes at least this long to leave your system.
Possible Relationships
The origins of abnormal dreams are, as of September 2011, still unknown. Dreams are often associated with psychoanalysis, as forerunners of the field including Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung posited many popular theories about their symbolic content. Folklore in cultures around the world has also assigned significance to dreams. Others believe that dreams are nothing more than a random firing of chemicals in the brain, creating images and stories that amount to nonsense. Folk wisdom blames indigestion for bad dreams. Caffeine might fall into this category, but there is no evidence to support a direct causal relationship. Whatever your belief, abnormal dreams can be aggravating if they are undesirable.
Suggestions
There is no guaranteed method of producing a deep, good night's sleep without abnormal dreams. Create the best possible circumstances for yourself by trying a few common recommendations for insomnia: Avoid caffeine in the evening; have a nourishing snack, such as a glass of warm milk or half of a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole grain bread, a couple of hours before bed; be sure to get plenty of exercise during the day, so that you go to bed tired. Additionally, deal directly with anxieties as they come up during the day, as unresolved tensions can keep you awake at night.
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