These people age faster: scientist named a harbinger of early death

Scientists have discovered an alarming connection between nightmares and premature aging of the body, as well as an increased risk of early death. This conclusion was reached by researchers from Imperial College London, who analyzed data from more than 180 thousand participants over nearly two decades.

According to Dr. Abidemi Otaiku, even weekly nightmares should cause concern for a person.

"People who suffer from nightmares at least once a week have three times the risk of not living to 70 compared to those who sleep peacefully and do not wake up in a state of anxiety," reports Mirror, citing the results of the study.

The new scientific data was presented at the 2025 European Academy of Neurology congress.

Otaiku explained that during nightmares, the body triggers a "fight or flight" response, causing a powerful release of cortisol - the stress hormone.

"Surprisingly, the stress response during sleep can be even more intense than stressful situations during waking hours," the scientist emphasized.

All these processes significantly accelerate cellular aging of the body.

"The results of the study are unequivocal: people who regularly experience nightmares age faster and leave this world earlier," concluded Otaiku.