Cheesy dreams

[Plocket]

Is it true that cheese is supposed to stimulate strange or even normal dreams?

[Buenchico]

Many natural products have mild hallucinogenic effects - these are usually so mild that they only become apparent through causing 'weird' dreams. Some cheeses - particularly mature varieties - are known to have these qualities. Various chemicals within the cheese are involved, including tyrosine.

There is no real risk involved with eating cheese before retiring - many people, including myself, love the type of dreams which they induce. Some other foods, however, have much stronger hallucinogenic effects - with associated risks. (Deaths have occurred from people overdosing on nutmeg, for example).

Chris

[rampart]

Oh my word! I did not know this! I love cheese!

[spudqueen]

I read somewhere that this myth dates from when the ladies would retire to another room after a meal and then gentlemen would pass round the port and cheese. They always used to blame a bad nights sleep on the cheese whereas really it was an excess of port!

[Plocket]

Thank you very much everyone! I had a nice big cheese sandwich last night (hence my question) and no dreams! I think I'll steer clear of too much nutmeg though! ;o)

[chazza]

IT doesn't stimulate dreams, but because it is hard to digest, it does stop you sleeping deeply (as your body is still slightly awake to digest it). Therefore you remember the dreams that you would otherwise forget.

Same with peanuts!

[redmug100]

Apparently strong cheese with rind will have this affect. Your bog standard steralised selaphane wrapped supermarket cheese wont make you dream at all. But if you want a really entertaing sleep eat a ripe banana including the white bit in the skin!

[Gef]

Buenchico is correct about cheese. It can make you have vivid dreams but it depends on many factors - how much, when, what else you have eaten, how much alcohol etc.

Don't worry about the nutmeg. You would have to eat an awul lot to overdose.

[Plocket]

Ok! Well I ate rather a lot of ripe brie last night! I didn't dream but didn't sleep well either. Many thanks one and all!