Smell A Rose To Get Sweet Dreams

By Staff
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Researchers say sweet dreams are made of flowers, sleeping with roses in your bedroom may provoke pleasant dreams, according to a new study.

The research has shown that what people smell while sleeping has a huge impact on their dreams. This is the first valid study that documents the impact of olfactory function on dreams.

During the study, German researchers used specific volatile odorants with a negative or a positive smell ("rotten eggs" versus "roses") for simulating the participants during sleep.

After the participants woke up, the researchers recorded their impressions. The team observed that the unpleasant odorant negatively influenced the emotional coloration of the dream, while under stimulation with the pleasant stimulus, nearly all dreams had a positive coloration.

The scientists pointed out that the information on olfactory function during sleep had become available only recently. The study may also open a potential field of therapeutic intervention with nocturnal olfactory stimulation.

Researchers are now looking to recruit people who suffer from nightmares to see if exposure to smells can help make their dreams more pleasant.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.