Vivid dreams when stopping smoking? Here's why...

[EmJay]

Vivid dreams when stopping smoking? Here's why...

For those of you who are newly quit, I thought I'd repost the following...

One of our Stop Smoking Advisors has found some information that I thought you might all find interesting;

Vivid dreams are found to not be a side effect from stop smoking products. It has been discovered through research that it is part of the recovery process. The brain begins to repair itself and reverse damage caused from smoking. Neurobiologists have discovered that brain cells sprout new axons and nerve fibres during dream sleep. A chemical named serotonin in the brain triggers the brain to dream.

Smoking depletes serotonin production in the brain. When serotonin levels in the brain are balanced it creates a happy and contented state of mind. When serotonin levels are low a depressed and anxious state of mind is created. It is believed that smoking cigarettes can deplete serotonin levels by up to 50%. What compounds this problem is that the brain accepts the chemicals in a cigarette as a serotonin substitute on the basis that any chemical response is better than no chemical response at all. So therefore, when an individual stops smoking, serotonin production improves and the brain begins to compensate itself for lost serotonin production. The brain then produces more serotonin than needed, resulting in vivid dreams and nightmares.

Research has shown that it takes the brain 3 weeks to regulate serotonin levels.

Further research suggests that with an increase in serotonin levels there must be an increase in oxygen levels too. When a person stops smoking, carbon monoxide no longer takes priority over oxygen on the red blood cells. As a result of this change, oxygen levels of the individual increase. More oxygen is carried around the body and to the brain. When the stop smoker sleeps there is a higher percentage of oxygen reaching the brain than when they were a smoker. This process helps promote a process called rapid eye movement (REM) while sleeping. REM is an important process in dream production along with serotonin production.

It is essential to reassure a client that the first three weeks of a quit attempt are crucial. Vivid dreams are all part and parcel of the recovery process and the pathway to a healthier life style.

It is a positive symptom as it is the brains way of repairing itself and returning to a better deeper sleep.

[Jai_]

Thanks EmJay. I am looking forward to my vivid dreams.

[Jai_]

Thanks EmJay. I am looking forward to my vivid dreams.

[EmJay Partner in reply to Jai_]

Hi Jai, how lovely to see you back. I hope all is well for you, if there is anything we can do to help, just shout

[puppieseatchairs 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Wow, I'm on my third day and the last two nights I've had mental dreams, not nightmares just really random madness. I've been waking up at 5am and taking my dogs for a walk when it gets light. This gets me through the early morning without smoking. When I get home my husband goes to work and the day starts, kids work blah blah.

Why can't I sleep properly? It's really frustrating.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to puppieseatchairs]

Hi ya Puppy, I bid you a lovely warm welcome to this lovely quit smoking site and a massive well done to you for getting to 3 days quit gal

Yes I think a lot of us have a job sleeping when we first quit !! but it will pass, and you will get back to normal soon but, erm, dont try too hard, erm, just lay your head back and go with the flow

Emjay, one of our lovely quit support advisers posted this a bit ago, it may just help you along a bit eh Hope to see ya soon gal, Pete

Breathing Exercise (3)To help slow a busy mind down and help with a good nights rest

Posted by EmJay ROY CASTLE

Before you try going to sleep, think about your day, and try and clear your mind. Is anything worrying you? If so think about whether or not you can do anything about it. Focus on all the positive things that have gone well for you, how good you feel about them or the things that have happened during your day. Any negative thoughts you may have collect them all together and have them ready to leave your body.

Once you have done this, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Breathe in and out a few times, in your own time

Next, take in a nice, long, slow, deep breath through your nose

Breathe out a nice long sigh through your mouth

Repeat this 3 -4 times

As you feel yourself ready to relax, shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and then let them drop

Focus again on your breathing, now think of the number 10 as you breathe in

As you breathe out, see the number 10 leave your mind.

Feeling any tension leaving your body as you do this.

Next, breathe in nice and slowly as you think of number 9

As number 9 leaves your mind, breathe out slowly.

As you breathe in, see the number 8

Imagine every bit of worry within you being caught up in your breath and being pushed out

as you see the number 8 leaving your body,

taking everything that concerns you away.

Continue to focus on your breathing

Imagining with each breath in, you are gathering up every bit of tension from every part of your body.

Every breath out takes all this tension away.

As you see the number 7 enter your mind,

feel the activity within your head and thoughts starting to slow right down

breathing in and then out, feeling more and more relaxed each time as the numbers leave your mind.

Your breathing should now be nice and slow, your heart and pulse will be more relaxed and your mind will feel so at eased.

As you slowly count your way down the numbers, you should be feeling ever so relaxed and the days worries and stresses should be as far away from your mind as possible.

The more you practice this breathing exercise, the easier it should become everytime ?

[puppieseatchairs 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Cheers monkey, yep it's 5.30 am again... The puppies are enjoying their early morning walks anyway. It gives me something to do and theyre very good company. Better than lying in bed listening to the husband snoring! This no smoking lark seems to be getting arder, last time I stopped I'm sure the first couple of days were the hardest but this time I breezed through them and it's now I'm feeling it. Thank god for the patches or I think I'd committed some awful crime to humanity by now (joking) cuppa then out walking for me. Thanks for replying. Have a good day.

P