Sweet dreams Research shows good smells boost our dreaming
Last updated 9/24/2008 12:16:19 PM
Sweet dreams Research shows good smells boost our dreaming
The benefits of sweet music to aid good sleep have long been known, but scientists now believe that sweet smells could make for sweet dreams.
It may not be the most groundbreaking research but it will be encouraging for anyone who ever suffers from a disturbed night's rest.
The female volunteers who took part in the study by University Hospital Mannheim in Germany described experiencing pleasant emotions in their dreams when the smell of roses had been wafted under their noses during sleep.
Researchers on the project found that an odour of rotten eggs had the opposite effect on fifteen slumbering volunteers. They plan to study people who suffer from nightmares.
They subjected them to a high dose of scented air for ten seconds once their subjects had entered the REM phase of sleep, the stage at which most dreams occur. The volunteers were then woken one minute later and questioned about their dreams.
The sleeping women admitted the emotional tone of the dream did change depending on the stimulation.The university team now plans to study people who suffer from nightmares.