#743 Recent Research on Nightmares with Michael Nadorff PhD

Dr. Michael Nadorff is an associate professor of psychology at Mississippi State University, where he also directs the clinical psychology PhD program. His research focuses on the association between sleep difficulties, particularly nightmares, and suicidal behavior. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has received external grant funding from NIMH, SAMHSA, and the CDC.Dr. Nardoff will be a keynote presenter at the upcoming International Association for

The Study of Dreams virtual conference. Let me suggest you join him in attending the 2021 Virtual International Association for The Study of Dreams conference. The fact that it’s virtual means you don’t have to travel anywhere to attend, and in fact you can do so from anywhere in the world. And you don’t need any special qualifications to attend, other than your own interest, curiosity, and so on. The virtual conference runs from Sunday through Thursday, June 13 to June 17. Just go to asdreams.org for more information.

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2 Comments

Nathen Knowles on April 1, 2021 at 12:53 am

What a synchronistic event to find this interview! I would be very interested in any studies of dreams and nightmares of those of us who shiftwork. More specifically people like myself who have jobs in which rotating shiftwork is required. I have been able to find very little published research on the topic of dreams in this population of society. If you know of any I would greatly appreciate guidance in that direction. I work in the petrochemical industry and for more than twenty years have worked a rotating shift in which I shift from nights to days on a constant basis, eg; four nights three days three nights four days with seven days off before resuming nights. As I have gotten older I find that not just the substance and “feeling” of dreams has changed but also the clarity in meaning. Also because of the disturbance of my circadian rhythm I’ve noticed a shift in the type and intensity of dreams in relation to the times in which I am able to sleep. Perhaps in my personal experience this clarity comes from a very deep study of dreams and sleep. As deep as is practical for someone with non academic obligations holding priority in his life anyway. My interest in dreams in general and the dreams that some ascribe the label “nightmares” (aside from night terrors which in my opinion is an entirely separate podcast) stem from a very early personal understanding that most if not all dreams are separate realities, viewed from the eye of memory while reawakening to this subjective experiential reality. Not to claim my personal understanding as objective fact, more very strong and supported opinion, I’ve always felt that dreams are meant as a form of communication between the two (or more) aspects of each individual. Sort of a documentary film meant to inform the observer. But, to inform them of what? I suppose that is one of the paramount questions driving the study of psyche or soul. Anyway, great show and thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.

Michael Nadorff on April 1, 2021 at 10:26 am

Hi Nathen, glad to hear from you! I am not aware of much research on shiftwork and nightmares (or dreams for that matter), either, though your experience makes good sense. Shiftwork of course wreaks havoc on sleep, and that has major implications for sleep architecture. Out of curiosity, do you find that when your sleep shifts to where you are sleeping primarily during the morning hours that you have more of these dreams? That would also make sense with when REM typically happens. Another curiosity question, do you happen to take melatonin and does that regulate it at all? It is little more than a semi-informed guess, but I would consider trying using melatonin about 30 minutes before your bedtime (so long as it is approved by your physician, of course), especially when you are not on your normal sleep schedule, to see if it helps bring things into line a bit better. There is also nothing that would stop you from doing the visualization work that I described as part of IRT, I could see that being quite effective if you were hoping to have different dreams. Anyway, I wish I could point you toward more research, but I appreciate the question and getting me to think about it, and thank you for sharing your experiences!

Nathen Knowles on April 1, 2021 at 12:53 am

What a synchronistic event to find this interview! I would be very interested in any studies of dreams and nightmares of those of us who shiftwork. More specifically people like myself who have jobs in which rotating shiftwork is required. I have been able to find very little published research on the topic of dreams in this population of society. If you know of any I would greatly appreciate guidance in that direction. I work in the petrochemical industry and for more than twenty years have worked a rotating shift in which I shift from nights to days on a constant basis, eg; four nights three days three nights four days with seven days off before resuming nights. As I have gotten older I find that not just the substance and “feeling” of dreams has changed but also the clarity in meaning. Also because of the disturbance of my circadian rhythm I’ve noticed a shift in the type and intensity of dreams in relation to the times in which I am able to sleep. Perhaps in my personal experience this clarity comes from a very deep study of dreams and sleep. As deep as is practical for someone with non academic obligations holding priority in his life anyway. My interest in dreams in general and the dreams that some ascribe the label “nightmares” (aside from night terrors which in my opinion is an entirely separate podcast) stem from a very early personal understanding that most if not all dreams are separate realities, viewed from the eye of memory while reawakening to this subjective experiential reality. Not to claim my personal understanding as objective fact, more very strong and supported opinion, I’ve always felt that dreams are meant as a form of communication between the two (or more) aspects of each individual. Sort of a documentary film meant to inform the observer. But, to inform them of what? I suppose that is one of the paramount questions driving the study of psyche or soul. Anyway, great show and thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.
Michael Nadorff on April 1, 2021 at 10:26 am

Hi Nathen, glad to hear from you! I am not aware of much research on shiftwork and nightmares (or dreams for that matter), either, though your experience makes good sense. Shiftwork of course wreaks havoc on sleep, and that has major implications for sleep architecture. Out of curiosity, do you find that when your sleep shifts to where you are sleeping primarily during the morning hours that you have more of these dreams? That would also make sense with when REM typically happens. Another curiosity question, do you happen to take melatonin and does that regulate it at all? It is little more than a semi-informed guess, but I would consider trying using melatonin about 30 minutes before your bedtime (so long as it is approved by your physician, of course), especially when you are not on your normal sleep schedule, to see if it helps bring things into line a bit better. There is also nothing that would stop you from doing the visualization work that I described as part of IRT, I could see that being quite effective if you were hoping to have different dreams. Anyway, I wish I could point you toward more research, but I appreciate the question and getting me to think about it, and thank you for sharing your experiences!