Dream Recall/Affect and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis.
Athanasios Tselebis1, Emmanouil Zoumakis2, Ioannis Ilias3
1Department of Psychiatry, Sotiria Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece.
Clocks & Sleep
|August 27, 2021
Summary
This review explores the link between dream recall and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It examines how stress and conditions like COVID-19 impact this relationship, offering insights into hormonal influences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress response.
- Dream recall and affect are complex psychological phenomena.
- Interactions between the HPA axis and dreaming are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on dream recall/affect and the HPA axis.
- To discuss the roles of cortisol, cortisol-binding globulin, and glucocorticoid receptors.
- To explore the HPA axis's influence on dreams in various conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on dream recall, affect, and HPA axis.
- Analysis of hormonal actions within the HPA axis.
- Integration of findings from physiological and pathological conditions.
Main Results:
- Hormonal fluctuations of the HPA axis, particularly cortisol, are linked to dream recall and affect.
- Stressful situations and pathological conditions (e.g., Cushing's syndrome) significantly modulate HPA axis activity and its impact on dreams.
- The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique context for studying HPA axis-dream interactions.
Conclusions:
- The HPA axis plays a crucial role in modulating dream recall and affect.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending stress responses and psychological well-being.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the HPA axis-dream relationship, especially in the context of global health crises.
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