1
|
Triantafyllou AS, Ilias I, Economou NT, Pappa A, Koukkou E, Steiropoulos P. Dream Recall/Affect and Cortisol: An Exploratory Study. Clocks Sleep 2022; 4:9-15. [PMID: 35225949 PMCID: PMC8883916 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep4010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of cortisol on dreams has been scarcely studied. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the possible effect of cortisol levels on dream recall/affect, considering, in female subjects, their menstrual cycle phase. Fifteen men and fifteen women were recruited. Saliva samples were used for the detection of cortisol levels. Participants were instructed to provide four saliva samples, during three consecutive days. After awakening, on the second and third day, they were asked whether they could recall the previous night’s dreams and whether these were pleasant or unpleasant. Female subjects followed this procedure twice: firstly, during the luteal phase and, secondly, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Subjects with higher evening or higher morning cortisol levels tended to show increased dream recall; a non-statistically significant association between morning cortisol levels and positive dream affect was also found. This association acquired statistical significance for salivary morning cortisol levels exceeding the upper normal level of 19.1 nmol/L (OR: 4.444, 95% CI: 1.108–17.830, p-value: 0.039). No connection between menstrual cycle stages and dream recall/affect was detected. In conclusion, cortisol may be a crucial neuromodulator, affecting dream recall and content. Therefore, its effects on sleep and dreams should be further studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros S. Triantafyllou
- MSc Program in Sleep Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.S.T.); (N.-T.E.); (P.S.)
| | - Ioannis Ilias
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-213-205-1389
| | - Nicholas-Tiberio Economou
- MSc Program in Sleep Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.S.T.); (N.-T.E.); (P.S.)
- Sleep Study Unit, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens & Enypnion Sleep Disorders—Epilepsy Center, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Pappa
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Eftychia Koukkou
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Paschalis Steiropoulos
- MSc Program in Sleep Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (A.S.T.); (N.-T.E.); (P.S.)
- Department of Pneumonology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| |
Collapse
|