HOW DO SUBSTANCES LIKE DRUGS AND FOODS AFFECT OUR DREAMS?
It is a fact that many substances affect dream recall. Laboratory studies suggest that depressants such as alcohol, marijuana, sleeping pills, and sedatives tend to reduce REM sleep and therefore reduce dream recall. (Some people report the opposite. This is probably due to an effect called REM rebound. For more information about REM rebound, see number 2 above)Some drugs, such as certain anti-depressants, greatly increase dream recall. Some people enjoy these strong, vivid dreams; to others, they may be upsetting or disturbing. People should discuss such drug side-effects with their doctors.Some people say that products such as Ginko, Choline, B vitamins, and/or Zinc may increase dream recall. Others have no success at all with such products. In any case, a word of caution is certainly advised – some substances may be toxic when ingested in large enough quantities.Certain foods, such as milk and turkey, contain a substance which may increase drowsiness. Lastly, it is probably a good i
