New Study Links Nightmares to Lactose Intolerance
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New Study Links Nightmares to Lactose Intolerance
A new study from Canadian researchers, published on July 1st, 2025 in the Frontiers in Psychology, suggests an important link between food sensitivities — especially lactose intolerance — and the frequency of nightmares.
The survey-based research included more than 1,000 participants, finding that individuals with lactose intolerance and other food allergies tend to report more sleep disturbances and nightmares.
These findings highlight a possible connection between digestive issues and
negative dream patterns, offering new insights for research on sleep and nutrition.
Read the full study here: More dreams of the rarebit fiend: food sensitivity and dietary correlates of sleep and dreaming
What the Study Found
According to the researchers from Canada, over 40% of survey participants stated that certain foods had a clear effect on their quality of sleep. A smaller percentage of people — 5.5% — believed that food was directly influencing their dreams.
- Dairy and desserts/sweets were listed as the most commonly sleep-disturbing foods
- Participants with lactose intolerance or food allergies scored significantly higher on the Nightmare Disorder Index (compared to those without sensitivities)
The authors of the study also conclude that „Findings open new avenues of research on food-dependent dreaming by suggesting dairy-induced gastrointestinal symptoms as one plausible basis for bizarre or disturbing dreams.”
Who Was Surveyed in the Study
The Canadian study surveyed 1,082 undergraduate students enrolled in psychology courses at MacEwan University. The respondents answered questions about their general eating habits, as well as food sensitivities, sleep quality, dream recall and nightmares.
While the sample group represents only young people, the results may add to a growing body of research around the food-sleep connection, especially in the context of allergies, autoimmune problems, and digestive issues.
What This Could Mean to Patients
Despite a relatively small sample group consisting only of students, this 2025 study sheds light on the importance of food choices for our entire wellbeing — not just for how we feel during the day.
- The study’s findings are an important clue for people who frequently experience nightmares and poor sleep quality.
- Conclusions of the research may reinforce the belief that some foods may disrupt sleep, but also adds evidence that gastrointestinal distress can directly influence the content of people’s dreams.
- Thanks to the study, people dealing with sleep disturbances can try avoiding known trigger foods, such as dairy, in order to lower digestive issues and reduce the frequency of negative dreams.
Additionally, if some foods were said to be negatively impacting sleep, this could also mean that there are ingredients which could enhance it – which could be a sleep game-changer for all of us.
Why the Study Findings Matter
While many people have been suspecting that their food is having an impact on their sleep, the research on this connection has been quite limited.
The study is a step in the right direction, showing that our gut health and sleep quality may be intricately connected – and that our diet could translate to how well we rest.
However, the world of functional medicine still needs more trials to confirm the food-sleep relationship – especially in older age groups, which tend to struggle with sleep and digestive issues the most.
If poor sleep or unsettling dreams are connected to how your gut is feeling, then restoring digestive balance may be key. Supporting your gut health could help reduce discomfort and improve the quality of your rest — starting from the inside out.
To maintain and support gut integrity, you need some vital nutrients that support the balance within your gut ecosystem – microbiome and intestinal lining. There are 7 science-backed ingredients that work synergistically to calm, enrich, and nourish your digestive tract, providing comprehensive digestive health.
Luckily, you can now find all of them in our proprietary formula, Restore Gut. By supporting the protective barrier of the gut, this powerful supplement helps people enjoy healthy digestion, normal immune function, and attain more energy, vitality and vigor.
Click here to learn more about Restore Gut and how it focuses on promoting digestive harmony by supporting your intestinal walls, so you can finally stop worrying about your digestion.
What’s Next
The topic of dreams is still a bit mysterious and uncertain. However, knowing that nutrition can potentially affect our sleep health is another sign to maintain a healthy diet that’s individualized to our own bodies.
And with new pieces of research around the topic, we may soon be able to lower the prevalence of nightmares and digestive issues with lifestyle modifications and non-pharmaceutical strategies.
In turn, this will allow us to improve our overall sleep quality, which affects energy levels, mood, metabolism, and many other vital functions in the body.
Meta description: A 2025 Canadian study links lactose intolerance and food sensitivities to more frequent nightmares and sleep disturbances, suggesting diet may influence dream patterns.
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