Weekly nightmares linked to faster ageing, study finds

Frequent nightmares are linked to premature ageing and increase the risk of an early death, according to a new study.

- REBECCA THOMAS

Adults who report weekly nightmares are more than three times likely to die before the age of 70 compared to those who rarely or never experience them, researchers found.

The study found nightmares to be a "stronger predictor of premature death" than smoking, obesity, poor diet and low physical activity. The scientists warned the findings should be treated as a "public health concern" but said people can reduce nightmares by managing stress.

The team, led by Dr Abidemi Otaiku of the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, analysed data from 2,429 children aged eight to 10 and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86 over a period of 19 years.