Do you wake up mid-dream? Here's why you may be at risk of dementia

Waking up in the middle of a dream, especially frequently, could be more than just a sleep disturbance, it might also be a sign of underlying neurological issues. Normally, dreams happen during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when the brain is highly active. Healthy sleepers usually cycle through REM without interruptions. But if you often wake up mid-dream, it may signal a disorder in how your brain regulates sleep.

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Research suggests that people who experience fragmented REM sleep are at higher risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease or dementia. This is because disturbed dreaming can be linked to changes in brain circuits that control both sleep and memory. One condition, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), where people act out their dreams or wake up suddenly during them, has been shown to precede dementia by years. While occasional dream interruptions are normal, frequent occurrences could be an early warning sign to pay attention to sleep quality, brain health, and overall lifestyle.