Sleep

A new study finds that sexual activity before bed—whether with a partner or solo—can improve sleep quality by reducing nighttime wakefulness and increasing sleep efficiency, based on objective brain monitoring in cohabiting couples.

A new study finds that emotional abuse and neglect during childhood are associated with more frequent nightmares and bad dreams in young adults. Rumination appears to mediate this link, and strong social support can weaken its impact on disturbed dreaming.

Is eight hours really the magic number for everyone? New research finds that optimal sleep duration for health may depend on cultural context. People who sleep in line with local expectations tend to report better health across countries.

Couples who fall asleep while cuddling or touching each other report lower stress and fewer signs of insecure attachment, according to a new study. Surprisingly, people’s individual sleep preferences don’t influence how close they sleep to their partner.

Lucid dreaming stands apart from both normal dreaming and wakefulness, according to a large EEG study. Researchers found that lucid dreams show unique brain activity patterns involving self-awareness, memory, and cognitive control—highlighting a complex state of consciousness within sleep.

New research finds that sleep disorders are associated with increased dementia risk. People with insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea were significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, emphasizing the role of sleep health in cognitive aging.

New research reveals that long-term sleep disorders and short-term sleep deprivation impact different parts of the brain, highlighting distinct patterns of structural and functional changes.

After a loss, people often continue to feel the presence of the deceased—in dreams or even while awake, according to new psychological research.

Flight attendants who prefer late nights and avoid emotional closeness may be more prone to depression. The study highlights how circadian rhythms and attachment styles interact to shape mental health in this high-stress, jetlag-prone profession.

People with insomnia who took CBD nightly for two weeks reported better mood the next day, though their thinking and memory remained unchanged, researchers found.

A new study suggests that how well you sleep may influence how much you believe in conspiracy theories.

Could a bit of morning sunlight be the secret to waking up refreshed? A new study suggests the timing of natural light exposure may make all the difference.

Nightmares often follow a night of disrupted sleep, according to new research—but having a nightmare doesn’t necessarily cause worse sleep afterward.

Sleep and addiction are deeply intertwined, and new research suggests that disrupted circadian rhythms may drive opioid dependence.