It's not just eating cheese that gives you nightmares – familiar smells can also trigger scary dreams, scientists claim. A study done in Japan suggested that familiar odours, such as flowers, a candle or fresh laundry, triggered negative emotions in people's dreams. This may be because the part of the brain that processes smell is connected to the part which processes negative emotions, including fear, the researchers said. The researchers said a familiar smell is perceived as stronger, and therefore recognised by the brain even during sleep. Consequently, a familiar smell might induce a strong, negative emotion because only the amygdala is 'awake' to receive it.

Source: Daily Mail January 21, 2020 15:22 UTC