Nightmares Linked to Food Allergies and Gut Discomfort

According to a study conducted in 2025, there appears to be a link between certain dietary habits and the quality of people's dreams. The researchers surveyed over 1,000 Canadian psychology students and found that around 5% of participants believed that their food intake affected their dreams, with desserts, sweets, and dairy being the most commonly cited culprits.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that individuals with food allergies or intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, were more likely to report that their dreams were influenced by what they ate. These participants also experienced more frequent and severe nightmares. The researchers suggest that the connection between gut discomfort and nightmares may be explained by the gut-brain axis, a growing area of research examining the relationship between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system.

The findings indicate that dietary habits, including food allergies and intolerances, could play a role in the quality of people's sleep and dream experiences. The researchers recommend that treatments for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, which can involve frequent nightmares, should consider assessing patients' dietary habits and making appropriate dietary changes.