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Benzodiazepine-Induced Modifications of Dream Content: The Effect of Flunitrazepam

Jean-Michel Gaillard, Marc Phelippeau

Neuropsychobiology February 14, 2008 DOI: 10.1159/000117527 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 8
Population Normal subjects
Intervention Flunitrazepam
Topics Dreaming
Key findings Flunitrazepam increased unpleasantness, verbal aggressivity, physical aggressivity, and sexuality in dreams compared to placebo.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine with strong hypnotic properties, on dream content. Eight normal subjects were studied in laboratory by the awakening technique, and the dream contents were rated by two judges according to nine scaled dimensions: unreality, participation of the dreamer, pleasantness, unpleasantness, verbal aggressivity, physical aggressivity, sexuality, sensoriality and time of reference in the dreamer’s life. By comparison with placebo condition, flunitrazepam induced more unpleasantness, more verbal aggressivity, more physical aggressivity, and more sexuality in dreams. This increase of emotionally loaded contents can be related to a disinhibitory effect of this drug, and the possible involvement of dopaminergic or serotoninergic systems is discussed.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on dreaming, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: A pilot study Combat veterans with PTSD 2009 Open clinical trial n = 10
Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 2020 Pre-post intervention study
Managing Insomnia Using Lucid Dreaming Training: A Pilot Study. Adults with Insomnia Disorder 2021 Open-label trial n = 48
Dream content and political ideology. U.S. adults who identified as members of the political right or political left (28 per... 2002 Pilot study n = 56
Imagery rehearsal therapy for the treatment of nightmares in individuals with borderline personality disorder – A pilot study Individuals with borderline personality disorder 2024 Between-subjects design, pilot study n = 44

Citations in the library

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