Vivid Dreams Explained: James, one of our... - Quit Support

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Vivid Dreams Explained

EmJay profile image
EmJayPartner
4 Replies

James, one of our lovely 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 where 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.

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EmJay profile image
EmJay
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4 Replies
dawlol profile image
dawlol18 Months Winner

I had weird and I mean weird dreams BEFORE I gave up smoking, they're not as weird now...how weird is that???? LOL!

EmJay profile image
EmJayPartner

Dare I say it...? That's weird ha ha

Seriously though, stopping smoking does send us on funny, mysterious and weird journeys at times doesn't it. We just don't know how it's going to be and where it's going to take us. That's why I think we should enjoy it. Enjoy it?... now that's weird! :-/

Lisa-Jane profile image
Lisa-Jane

Thanks for the info!! To be fair my dreams are just weird but in a good way!! I'm actually looking forward to sleeping at night now!! The weirdest thing is I can reel off all the details of my dream like it's actually a real life thing!! As long as they don't turn nasty I'm looking forward to what my dreams have in store for me over the next couple of weeks!! Hopefully no more lunches with Fatima Whitbred... She's a Lil scary!! ??

Lenne profile image
LenneLONG TERM WINNER

I'm going to save this page because it's so interesting, cheers EmJay! I only had one vivid dream and that was on the first night (gremlins and zombies vs me on an old abandoned train I kid you not). Since I suffer from severe depression I am wondering if it was my fault now by smoking so much! Time will tell eh? xx

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