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We have all heard that cheese before bed can cause weird dreams, right? Turns out, it might actually be true. A new study found that people who ate cheese before sleeping had more strange or emotional dreams than usual. It’s not clear why this happens, but researchers think certain foods might mess with how our brain works during sleep.
What Was the Research
Neuroscientist Tore Nielsen from the University of Montreal, along with his team, conducted a study to explore the link between food and sleep.
They surveyed over 1,000 psychology students from MacEwan University in Canada. The online survey collected information about their sleep patterns, types of food consumed, dream recall, and whether they believed certain foods or the timing of meals affected their sleep or dreams.
The paper, titled “More Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend: Food Sensitivity and Dietary Correlates of Sleep and Dreaming,” was published on July 1, 2025, in Frontiers in Psychology.
Key Findings
About 40% of participants said some foods either worsened or improved their sleep. Around 25% believed that specific foods disrupted their sleep. Interestingly, 31% blamed bizarre dreams on sugary desserts, and 22% on dairy products.
Only 5.5% believed that both what they ate and when they ate it actually affected their dreams.
The study also found that people who ate healthier meals reported better dream recall. In contrast, those who consumed more junk food, especially in the evening, experienced more negative or disturbing dreams and had trouble remembering them clearly.
Cheese, Dairy & Nightmares: What’s the Link
Dr. Nielsen noted that dairy may genuinely play a role in disrupting sleep for some people, especially those with lactose intolerance.
Nightmares are worse for lactose-intolerant people who suffer severe gastrointestinal symptoms and whose sleep is disrupted.
Tore Nielsen, Neuroscientist, University of Montreal
Eating excess dairy can lead to stomach pain, bloating, and gas—symptoms that disturb sleep and may increase both the chance of having nightmares and the ability to recall them.
What About Food Allergies
The researchers also suggested that food sensitivities and intolerances could be a hidden factor behind recurring nightmares. Addressing these through dietary changes might help improve both sleep quality and gut health.
As Dr. Nielsen explained, “This makes sense because we know that other bodily sensations can affect dreaming. Nightmares can be very disruptive, especially if they occur often, because they tend to awaken people from sleep in a dysphoric state. They might also produce sleep avoidance behaviors. Both symptoms can rob you of restful sleep.”
Not the Final Word Yet
Since the study was based on self-reported data from a narrow group (psychology students), it may not reflect the larger population. The researchers were clear: the findings show how people perceive the impact of food on dreams, not necessarily the biological reason behind it.
They now plan to run a more controlled study where participants will eat cheese or a non-dairy food before bed, to test if it genuinely changes dream quality or sleep patterns.
Final Takeaway
While there’s no need to ditch cheese entirely, it might be worth paying attention to how your body reacts to certain foods, especially before bedtime. The study suggests that treating food intolerances and allergies with dietary changes may help improve sleep and overall gut comfort. And maybe, just maybe, help you sleep a little more peacefully.
Reference:
1. Nielsen, Tore, Radke, Jade, et al. “More Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend: Food Sensitivity and Dietary Correlates of Sleep and Dreaming.” Frontiers in Psychology 16 (July 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1544475.
(Rh/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)
