Inserm Research Director and Co-Director of DreamTeam at Institut du Cerveau in Paris
Claudia Picard-Deland
Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Psychiatry and Addictology at Université de Montréal
Key takeaways
Research on dreams shows that they begin as soon as we fall asleep, and it is possible that different regions of the brain do not fall asleep at the same rate.
Among the hypotheses on their function is the idea that dreams simulate threats and regulate emotions, allowing us to better manage situations or states experienced in dreams.
Studies on dreams are based, for example, on reports from dreamers or on laboratory experiments, but their level of evidence is generally low.
To better understand dreams, it is important for researchers to collaborate and share results on open databases.
Ultrasound imaging and recent discoveries about windows of connection with the outside world during sleep are avenues for better understanding.
Researcher in Neuroscience at Inserm and Collège de France
Key takeaways
In 2024, the French will sleep an average of 15 minutes less per day than in 2023, with an overall drop in sleep time of 1 and a half hours over 50 years.
Before resorting to medical treatments, doctors recommend improving lifestyle habits to alleviate sleep disorders.
Sleep is regulated by sleep pressure and the body clock, which are influenced by light, meals, physical activity, and social interaction.
Exposure to daylight and avoiding screens in the evening are effective strategies for synchronising the body clock.
Regular physical activity and a glucose-rich evening meal promote better sleep, by stimulating the production of serotonin and adenosine.
Physician and INSERM Research Director at Paris Cardiovascular Research Center (PARCC)
Key takeaways
The number of deaths linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is estimated to have risen by 60% since 1990, making it the leading cause of death.
Considerable research efforts are being made to better identify risk factors and markers, so that action can be taken as far upstream as possible.
Many risk factors have already been identified (smoking, diabetes, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, etc.), but researchers are increasingly interested in sleep.
According to the work of a team of researchers, the “better” the sleep, the lower the number of cases of CVD.
According to the study, it is never too late to improve the quality of your sleep and preserve your cardiovascular health.
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