Could Anesthesia-Induced Dreaming Treat PTSD?
Novel therapies are needed for deep trauma
Patients often ask me if they will have dreams under anesthesia. Everyone is different, and I tell patients they may have dreams and that most patients describe these dreams as very pleasant.
In this fascinating video, post-doctoral researcher Pilleriin Sikka, Ph.D. from Stanford University, shares her team’s groundbreaking work on using anesthesia-induced dreams to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions. PTSD, a debilitating disorder affecting millions, often leaves sufferers reliving traumatic experiences and having nightmares. While current therapies work for some, about two-thirds of patients don't find relief.
The research aims to harness the potentially transformative power of anesthesia dreams, which are typically more pleasant than regular sleep dreams. A remarkable case study is shared where a woman named Mare Lucas, suffering from PTSD and depression, saw her symptoms disappear after experiencing euphoric dreams under anesthesia during surgery for her breast cancer. Her relief has lasted over a year, offering hope for a new treatment approach.
In their study, the team will use EEG to monitor brain activity and develop a method to induce dream states during anesthesia. They will conduct trials with PTSD patients to compare the effects of dream-inducing anesthesia versus dreamless anesthesia and measure the impact on PTSD symptoms.
If successful, this research could revolutionize mental health treatments, offering new hope for those with PTSD and even helping patients recover faster post-surgery.