Dreams are funny things: some people remember their dreams all the time and can recount just about every detail, while others can't recall a thing from their sleepy adventures. That could change, however, thanks to new research into the effect of vitamin B6 on our dream recollection. A study published in the Journal of Perceptual and Motor Skills has discovered that eating foods rich in the vitamin before bedtime can help you remember your dreams the next day. These foods include poultry, fish, bread, wholegrain cereals, eggs, peanuts, milk and vegetables, amongst others.
© Photo: iStockDr Denholm Aspy of the University of Adelaide's School of Psychology said of the study, which involved 68 people: "Our results show that taking vitamin B6 improved people’s ability to recall dreams compared to a placebo. Vitamin B6 did not affect the vividness, bizarreness or colour of their dreams, and did not affect other aspects of their sleep patterns." Dr Aspy explained that this study is the first of its kind on a large, diverse group of people.
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© Photo: iStockDr Aspy also revealed that if people can recall their dreams regularly through increasing vitamin B6, they may be able to control 'lucid' dreams – a dream where you realise you are dreaming. He said: "It may be possible to use lucid dreaming for overcoming nightmares, treating phobias, creative problem solving, refining motor skills and even helping with rehabilitation from physical trauma."
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The NHS website states that taking doses of 10-200mg a day for short periods may not cause any harm. However, taking over 200mg a day of vitamin B6 for a long time can lead to a loss of feeling in the arms and legs known as peripheral neuropathy.
