The sleeping brain hosts a spectrum of subjective experiences, ranging from fleeting hypnagogic images and simple thoughts to vivid, full-fledged dreams and lucid dreaming. The works published in this Research Topic present novel methodological and conceptual approaches to studying these experiences. Contributions span the challenges of studying dreaming in clinical populations (Fischmann et...
Frontiers in SleepSeptember 9, 2026Brian D. Robertson, Emily F. Wargo, Joel Fay
Objective Nightmares are a common, distressing condition among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are associated with impaired sleep quality and elevated suicide risk. First responders carry a substantial burden of occupational trauma and PTSD yet are under-represented in nightmare-treatment research. NightWare is an FDA-authorized prescription wearable that monitors...
Targeted dream incubation (TDI) is a highly effective method for eliciting hypnagogic dreams related to specific topics through the presentation of verbal prompts and serial awakenings at sleep onset. In this pilot study, we tested whether TDI at sleep onset can effectively direct dream content in subsequent rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We allowed participants a daytime nap opportunity...
Introduction: The return to normal life following the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated in terms of anxiety upon awakening, sleep quality indicators, and dream characteristics. Methods: The sample comprised 394 women and 107 men who completed an online self-report questionnaire between August 15, 2022, and December 8, 2022 about their sleep and dream experience from the previous night....
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of various parasomnias in the general Norwegian adult population and explore their associations with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in September 2024 among 1002 adults (50.7% male, mean age 50.3), drawn from a large population-based sample from a national web panel. Participants reported lifetime...
Frontiers in SleepFebruary 27, 2026Lisa DeMarni Cromer, Emily Kaier Cromwell, Lauren Prince et al.
Theories of chronic nightmare maintenance highlight dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and nightmares, distress and arousal, anticipatory anxiety, maladaptive sleep habits, and sleep deprivation as perpetuating factors that maintain nightmare disorder over time. Theories of nightmare treatment suggest that self-efficacy is a common factor in nightmare mitigation. The current article introduces...
Introduction Recurrent nightmares often severely impair the quality of life, school functioning, and daily functioning of trauma-exposed children and adolescents. However, research to date is limited for treatments focused on reducing the impact of posttraumatic nightmares among youth in conflict zones. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of the Better Learning Program 3 (BLP) as it was...
Background: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by loss of normal muscle atonia during REM sleep, often associated with dream enactment behaviors, and is typically a prodromal neurodegenerative condition in middle-aged and older adults. However, emerging case reports and case series suggest that not all RBD presentations follow this trajectory, particularly in younger...
Introduction: A growing body of work has used machine learning and AI tools to analyse dream reports, and compare them to other textual content. Since these tools are usually trained on text from the web, researchers have speculated they might not be suited to model dreams reports, often labeled as "unusual" and "bizarre" content. Methods: We used a set of large language models (LLMs) to encode...
Frontiers in SleepJuly 11, 2024Lisa DeMarni Cromer, Sarah Beth Bell, Lauren Prince et al.8 citations
Introduction This study examined the efficacy of a five-module cognitive behavioral therapy for nightmares in children (CBT-NC) and improving sleep. Materials and methods Forty-six youth aged 6–17 years with sleep problems and at least weekly chronic and distressing nightmares were randomized to treatment ( n = 23) or waiting list ( n = 23) using a block four randomized design. Among...
Hypnagogia—the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep—is marked by “hypnagogic dreams,” during which our brains tend to forge connections among concepts that are otherwise unrelated. This process of creating novel associations during hypnagogic dreams is said to contribute to enhancing creativity, learning, and memory. Recently, researchers have proposed that mind-wandering—a form of...
Objectives Cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy are effective insomnia treatments, yet half of patients do not remit. Emerging evidence indicates refractory cognitive arousal is associated with poor insomnia treatment outcomes, giving rise to the concept that therapeutic approaches directly aimed at reducing cognitive arousal may benefit patients with a history of inadequate...