"Dream Deprivation": Effects on Dream Content
Science September 9, 1966 DOI: 10.1126/science.153.3741.1282 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDreams become more intense after selective deprivation of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep compared to normal sleep conditions. This intensification occurs for both repressers and sensitizers, but the effect is statistically significant only for repressers. On nights without deprivation, sensitizers have shorter dream periods and more intense dreams than repressers.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Repressers and sensitizers |
| Intervention | selective deprivation of rapid-eye-movement sleep |
| Key finding | Dream content intensified after REM sleep deprivation, significantly only for repressers. |
Abstract
Dream content elicited following the selective deprivation of rapid-eye-movement sleep was intensified compared to that elicited under nondeprivation conditions. This effect was observed both for repressers and for sensitizers, but was significant only for repressers. On nondeprivation nights, the dream periods of sensitizers were shorter and their dreams more intense than those of repressers.