Did you know that your midnight cheese snacking might be the secret culprit behind your nightmares? A shocking new study suggests that indulging in dairy before bed could lead to some seriously bizarre dreams, leaving you questioning whether it’s the cheese or your subconscious that’s truly haunting you.

According to Russ Powell, a psychology professor emeritus at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, cheese has long been linked to strange dreams in folklore. "We were particularly interested in whether cheese might be indicated as one such food as it is often identified in various folklore traditions as resulting in bizarre dreams or nightmares," Powell shared. But don't you worry too much just yet—this isn't just a wild superstition; it's backed by some serious research.

For the past twelve years, Powell has been collaborating with dream neuroscientist Tore Nielsen from the University of Montreal to explore this fascinating topic. They set out to uncover whether dairy, particularly cheese, is a genuine trigger for those nightmarish visions.

Their findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, reveal that it’s dairy in general—not just cheese—that significantly affects dreams. Their extensive study involved over a thousand psychology students, all of whom completed surveys detailing their eating habits, sleep patterns, and dream experiences. What they uncovered was startling: students reported a strong correlation between consuming dairy-rich foods and experiencing disturbing dreams.

What's even more intriguing is that lactose intolerance seems to play a role here. The researchers discovered that individuals who experience gastrointestinal distress after consuming dairy often report a higher severity of nightmares. This isn’t entirely surprising when you think about it—our bodies can draw upon real-life sensations to influence our dreams. For instance, if you grind your teeth while you sleep, you might find yourself dreaming about losing them!

However, cheese wasn't the only bad dream instigator in their findings. While dairy held the second place, desserts and sweets took the top spot as the leading culprits behind unsettling dreams. Powell speculates that cultural shifts toward healthier eating might have prompted students to associate junk food with negative outcomes.

For those who just can't give up their late-night cheese fix, Powell has some advice: opt for hard cheeses like Swiss or Monterey Jack, which are lower in lactose, or even lactose-free varieties. Interestingly, while some cheese lovers might worry about nightmares, other studies suggest that cheese could reduce the risk of sleep apnea—a common sleep disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep. It seems the essential nutrients in cheese might actually play a role in promoting better sleep quality.

What’s the takeaway from all of this? Healthy eating habits contribute to calmer dreams and better dream recall, which is great news if you’ve been struggling with cheese-induced nightmares. “We found that people who maintain a healthy diet tend to experience more peaceful dreams,” Powell explained. So, if your dreams have been feeling a little chaotic lately, maybe it's time to re-evaluate your late-night snack choices!