Scientists from the Ural Federal University and the University of Tübingen have found that daytime sleepiness can worsen anxiety disorders. The research was published in the journal Cognitive Emotional and Behavioral Neuroscience.
While the human body is resting in a dream, its brain actively processes information, transferring memories from short-term memory to long-term memory. Scientists have suggested that this process can also occur after emotional traumas such as natural disasters. If so, victims of such events may be advised not to sleep immediately after injury.
Scientists conducted an experiment. Eighteen healthy volunteers were stimulated loudly to induce the fear response and then slept for two hours. Researchers found that a two-hour nap actually improved fear memories acquired just before bed. A similar effect was observed after waking up: watching an emotionally neutral movie or playing a video game also increased fear memories.