The first trimester of pregnancy doesn’t only bring morning sickness; it can also reduce nightmares. At least that’s the unexpected conclusion reached by a group of Italian researchers led by Serena Scarpelli, who surveyed 200 women, half of whom were pregnant. According to the researchers, expectant mothers experienced fewer nightmares than other women because of hormonal changes, which can promote sleep and shorten the REM sleep phase—which is when vivid (and sometimes frightening) dreams occur.
Lucid dreams are also associated with nightmares, and lucid dreamers are more likely than other people to have scary dreams. Researchers hypothesize that lucidity in a dream may be the brain’s attempt to cope with unpleasant experiences and take control of the situation. However, the connection between lucid dreams and nightmares is complex and ambiguous, and it requires further study. In addition, people who show increased interest in their dreams are likely to remember nightmares.
Finally, the study confirmed that depression and anxiety are associated with nightmares. If a person shows signs of depression, the likelihood of nightmares increases. Again, this emphasizes the importance of taking care of your mental health, especially during pregnancy.
Have you noticed that pregnancy affects people’s dreams (from your own experience or those of your loved ones)?
The article was published in May 2025 in Nature and Science of Sleep.
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