Integrative Dream Medicine
June 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780190885403.003.0013 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractREM sleep and dreaming are critical for memory consolidation, mood regulation, and personal transcendence, yet an epidemic of REM/dream deprivation and its health consequences has been inadequately acknowledged. The authors argue that clinicians should advise patients of the general health benefits of REM/dreaming and incorporate screening and treatment for REM/dream deficiencies into practice. REM/dream issues must be explicitly addressed in sleep medicine, including insomnia disorder, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and nightmares, using psychotherapeutic dreamwork that views REM/dreaming as an endogenous healing process. Promoting REM/dream health also requires concerted public health initiatives.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Medicine |
| Key finding | Argues that REM/dream deprivation is an underrecognized health epidemic and that clinicians should address REM/dream health through screening, treatment, and psychotherapeutic dreamwork. |
Abstract
Although dreaming was integral to the ancient Asklepian practices that form the roots of contemporary medicine, its clinical relevance has been obscured by a scientific bias against the phenomenology or personal meaning of dreams. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and dreaming play critical roles in neurological and mental health, particularly memory consolidation, mood regulation, and personal transcendence. Despite this, the epidemic of REM/dream deprivation and its health ramifications has not been adequately acknowledged or addressed. All clinicians should advise patients of the general health benefits of REM/dreaming and incorporate relevant screening and treatment for REM/dream deficiencies into their practices. REM/dream issues must be explicitly addressed in sleep medicine, especially in the treatment of insomnia disorder, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and nightmares. This should include psychotherapeutic dreamwork, which views REM/dreaming as an endogenous healing process. Promoting REM/dream health also calls for concerted public health initiatives.