Thread: eat or not eat?

should i eat immediatly bfore bed? this helps me sleeep but i was wondering if i was losing out on dream sleep somehow.?

also, can i lucid dream if theres a radio on? i fall asleep with my radio on, is this ok?

I don't see how those would negatively affect your dream recall. In fact if anything they should help you with it since they help you sleep.

The eating thing will have no effect. Whatever makes you comfortable. =]

It is said that quality of sleep dwindles when there are outside distractions. This is because, even though you are sleeping, your brain is still left to interpret whatever it hears/sees. This is evolutionarily beneficial, since that's what wakes you up when there's danger, or some other signal to wake up (a crash of thunder, an animal roar, lights of the morning, people talking). Television is the main perpetrator here. Radio is just as bad (unless you are listening to soft music, or white noise), except without the visuals. You are probably waking up several times throughout the night, but don't know it, since you become habituated and immediately fall back asleep.

Poor sleep quality could mean worse recall, and groggier mornings. This might have an effect on lucidity.

I don't know about eating not having an effect. Can you cite a source or something?

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

I don't know about eating not having an effect. Can you cite a source or something?

I was oversimplifying. Here are the points I left out:

Eating sugary or caffeinated foods will make it more difficult to fall asleep, as they act as stimulants.

But eating in general? I've not heard that it hurts dreaming, or falling asleep. I do know that eating before bed has an effect on metabolism, but I have yet to hear anything about its effect on dreaming.

http://www.aolhealth.com/medical-myt...ing-before-bed
Scroll to "Other Health Effects."

"I also have read reports of poor-quality sleep and nightmares as a consequence of eating before bed, but these [claims] are not well supported by evidence."

I can only speak for myself but when if eat a heavy meal before sleep I am guaranteed to have a nightmare. I drink sugary tea during the night and it seems to boost my dream recall. Again I'm just talking for myself.