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Ahmed S BaHammam

2 papers in the library · publishing 2019-2025

Papers

How golden age Arab-Islamic scholars revolutionized sleep physiology and dream analysis.

Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences October 1, 2025 Ahmed S BaHammam

Medieval Arab-Islamic scholars from the 7th to 13th centuries made significant contributions to sleep science by blending empirical observation with theological insight. Al-Rāzī pioneered clinical methods using comparative groups to evaluate treatments for sleep disorders, described sleep paralysis (al-kābūs) with gastric and brain-centered types, and addressed insomnia and nocturnal enuresis. Ibn Sīnā's pneumatic theory of the psychic spirit explained sleep-wake transitions and proposed three sleep stages based on pulse changes; he also described symptoms consistent with obstructive sleep apnea and recommended positional therapy. Ibn al-Nafīs argued that internal faculties like imagination remain active during sleep, prefiguring modern understandings of selective neural activation. Islamic dream theory distinguished divine visions from psychologically and physically induced dreams, bridging theology, philosophy, and proto-psychology.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2025.07.013 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Al-rāzī Arab civilizationِ Dreams Ibn sīnā +3

Dreams and Nightmares in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review.

Frontiers in Neurology January 1, 2019 Ahmed S BaHammam, Aljohara S Almeneessier

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disrupts sleep and oxygen levels, which may affect dreaming. Some studies report that people with OSA have fewer dreams, while others find they have more emotionally intense dreams, often with violent or hostile themes. Respiratory-related dream content is rare. A clear link exists between post-traumatic stress disorder, co-occurring OSA, and nightmares. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment reduces nightmare frequency. Several studies show that more severe OSA, measured by the apnea-hypopnea index, is associated with lower dream recall. Future research should distinguish between patients with general OSA and those with rapid eye movement (REM)-predominant OSA.

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01127 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Post-traumatic stress disorder Cpap Rem sleep Emotion +2