Evidence for an emotional adaptive function of dreams: a cross-cultural study

Article Article scientifique Article Evidence for an emotional adaptive function of dreams: a cross-cultural study eng 2023-10-02 2023-10-02 author Samson David R. author Clerget Alice Charlotte 956004 author Abbas Noor author Senese Jeffrey author Sarma Mallika S. author Lew-Levy Sheina author Mabulla Ibrahim A. author Mabulla Audax Z. P. author Miegakanda Valchy author Borghese Francesca 801250 author Henckaerts Pauline Annette 841118 Département de psychiatrie (PSYAT) author Schwartz Sophie 0000-0001-7718-4053 35633 Département de neurosciences fondamentales (NEUFO) author Sterpenich Virginie 0000-0002-2125-833X 685195 Services communs du CISA (EMCO) author Gettler Lee T. author Boyette Adam author Crittenden Alyssa N. author Perogamvros Lampros 718036 Département de neurosciences fondamentales (NEUFO) 16530 10.1038/s41598-023-43319-z 37783728 2045-2322 PMC10545663 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-43319-z The function of dreams is a longstanding scientific research question. Simulation theories of dream function, which are based on the premise that dreams represent evolutionary past selective pressures and fitness improvement through modified states of consciousness, have yet to be tested in cross-cultural populations that include small-scale forager societies. Here, we analyze dream content with cross-cultural comparisons between the BaYaka (Rep. of Congo) and Hadza (Tanzania) foraging groups and Global North populations, to test the hypothesis that dreams in forager groups serve a more effective emotion regulation function due to their strong social norms and high interpersonal support. Using a linear mixed effects model we analyzed 896 dreams from 234 individuals across these populations, recorded using dream diaries. Dream texts were processed into four psychosocial constructs using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) dictionary. The BaYaka displayed greater community-oriented dream content. Both the BaYaka and Hadza exhibited heightened threat dream content, while, at the same time, the Hadza demonstrated low negative emotions in their dreams. The Global North Nightmare Disorder group had increased negative emotion content, and the Canadian student sample during the COVID-19 pandemic displayed the highest anxiety dream content. In conclusion, this study supports the notion that dreams in non-clinical populations can effectively regulate emotions by linking potential threats with non-fearful contexts, reducing anxiety and negative emotions through emotional release or catharsis. Overall, this work contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary significance of this altered state of consciousness. COVID-19 Canada Cross-Cultural Comparison Emotions Humans Pandemics Dewey 616.8 Dewey 616.89 National Geographic Society 9665-15 Medical Direction of University Hospitals of Geneva PRD 18-2019-I Jacobs Family Foundation Swiss National Science Foundation The Nightmare Catcher: modulating dreams with targeted memory reactivation 190722 CH Projects 53 Département de neurosciences fondamentales 21A 60 Département de psychiatrie 225 false 1413 Neuropsychiatrie du sommeil et des rêves 1047 495 Neuroimagerie du Sommeil et de la Cognition 832 https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7N6KF Scientific reports 13 1 10be193c-1531-4a4a-9c8a-3eb68fcf0cb3 Article (Published version) Public Article-scientifique-from-unpaywall.pdf 1206788 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 62ba9e997e2a09d8fb1582444c2a30bcdc305d207f043aaa5fb1775a83bc5061 openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine fondamentale / Département de neurosciences fondamentales Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de psychiatrie

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Evidence for an emotional adaptive function of dreams: a cross-cultural study	Scientific reports	2023	230	1,596
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Enhancing imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares with targeted memory reactivation	Current biology	2022	388	1,580

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