Is Cheese Fueling Your Nightmares? Study Links Dairy Intolerance to Disturbing Dreams

That slice of cheese before bed might be doing more than upsetting your stomach—it could be giving you nightmares. A new study in Frontiers in Psychology examined the impact of food on dreams. And it found something surprising: people with bad lactose intolerance often have more intense and scary dreams.

The Cheese-Dream Connection

In the past, people have blamed cheese and other dairy foods for strange dreams. This latest research supports that idea. One of the researchers, Tore Nielsen from the University of Montreal, stated that the study provides stronger evidence that dairy consumption may impact our dreams.

What the Study Found

Over 1,000 individuals participated in the study. The ones who had strong stomach problems from dairy also said they had worse nightmares. These dreams occurred more frequently, felt more distressing, and lasted longer. Many also said sweets played a part in their dream troubles.

It’s essential to note that all participants in the study were college students enrolled in a psychology class. According to reports, the results may not apply to everyone.

Why Dairy Might Affect Dreams

Experts believe that stomach problems can disrupt sleep, leading to disturbing dreams. Nielsen explained that anxiety caused by stomach pain might carry into sleep and make dreams worse.

Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University stated that stomach issues alone can cause poor sleep, which could explain the occurrence of strange or scary dreams.

Patrick McNamara from Boston University added that when people eat something their body can’t handle—like dairy—it may cause small sleep interruptions. These breaks in sleep can make dreams more vivid and sometimes scary.

Still, all the researchers agree that other things might also play a part, not just dairy or stomach issues.

What Can You Do?

Nielsen said more research is needed, and his team hopes to test other groups. But for now, people can simply watch what they eat and see if cutting back on dairy makes a difference. You don’t need a doctor to try it—just pay attention to how your body and dreams react.