A new study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that longer periods of rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, commonly associated with dreaming, are linked to a significantly lower risk of developing over 80 health conditions. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 100,000 participants in the UK Biobank, focusing on the relationship between sleep duration, quality, and disease risk over nearly a decade. Participants wore wrist accelerometers for one week to accurately measure their sleep patterns, avoiding the inaccuracies often associated with self-reported sleep data.
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The findings indicate that individuals who slept six to eight hours each night had the lowest risk for various health issues. Increased REM sleep was specifically associated with a reduced risk of conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and several others including dementia. In contrast, deeper sleep correlated with a lower risk of seven diseases including type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder.
Notably, the researchers point out that some observed correlations, such as between disrupted sleep and depression, may reflect reverse causation—whereby disrupted sleep symptoms stem from the condition rather than contribute to it.
Additionally, the study found that higher amounts of light sleep were linked to increased risks for some conditions, while a higher wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO) was associated with an elevated risk of substance dependence and osteoarthritis. Furthermore, inconsistent sleep patterns correlated with a higher risk of abdominal pain and anxiety.
Overall, the research suggests that achieving 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night is optimal for health. Experts have provided practical advice for those struggling to obtain adequate sleep, emphasizing the importance of a consistent wake-up time and creating a calming pre-bedtime routine to improve sleep quality. Dr. Scott Nass recommended maintaining a regular sleep schedule even on weekends, while Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib stressed creating a conducive sleep environment and avoiding screens and caffeine before bedtime.