Rhianna Benson
Earlier this week, Tyla reported on an apparent surge in sleepers enduring excruciatingly vivid dreams, with a study finding that many non-related dreamers have even been subsciously imagining the exact same eerie scenarios.
Now, a GP has attempted to provide an explanation as to why this bizarre pattern my be forming, especially around this time of year.
As we say, an extensive study carried out by experts at MattressNextDay recently found that a batch of Brits interviewed claimed they'd been waking up shaken in the morning, and were able to recall every disturbing detail from their dream the evening prior.
It wasn't just the participants' ability to remember their subconscious imaginations that left scientists baffled, however, but the fact that many of those investigated claimed to have had strangely similar dreams.
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The study found that a colossal proportion of those studied had suffered dreams which saw their teeth falling out - with over 26,600 dreamers having used the internet in a bid to unpick the creepy meaning behind it - whilst thousands of others had dreamed about a pregnancy, even when not trying for children.
A suspiciously large handful of others said they'd suffered a nightmare about spiders, whilst a fourth batch claimed they'd woken themselves up by dreaming that they were falling.
Sleep expert and the study's overseer Martin Seeley told Tyla that the apparent pattern is simply a sign of the times, claiming that the changing of the seasons and the October clocks soon going back could serve as an explanation.
"Our internal body clocks must adapt to a new nightly routine," he claimed."As the days become shorter and darkness descends earlier, our melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep, increases. This adjustment can influence the frequency and vividness of our dreams."
That said, however, another expert has since weighed in on the debate claiming there may be a more sinister reason for our unusually intense sleeping patterns.
Also speaking to Tyla, Dr Seeta Shah - sleep adviser for Panda London - explained that the increase in sleep-related disorders may have something to do with it.
"While vivid dreams are often harmless and a normal part of sleep, if they are persistent or disturbing, it may be worth considering other potential causes," she began.
"Emotional or psychological stress, major life changes, and even dietary factors (such as eating late at night) can all play a role. In some cases, underlying conditions like depression, anxiety, or even sleep disorders like sleep apnoea or insomnia could also contribute to more intense dreaming.
"For instance, sleep apnoea can disrupt your sleep, making you more likely to wake up during REM sleep, which may result in more vivid or disturbing dream recall."
Asked how she'd advise some suffering with these increasingly eerie imaginings, she continued: "It’s always worth discussing frequent vivid dreams with a healthcare professional if they are causing distress or interfering with sleep quality, to rule out any underlying conditions."