Beta-Blockers and Vivid Nightmares

If you’ve been having strange, vivid nightmares lately, you might want to

check your blood pressure prescription. Certain heart medications, specifically beta-blockers, are known to disrupt

sleep architecture. Drugs like propranolol are highly "lipid-soluble," which is just a fancy way of saying

they can slip right into the brain and interfere with your REM sleep. This interference

often presents as vivid dreams, hallucinations, or frequent awakenings throughout the night.

Interestingly, switching to a more "selective" version of the drug—one that doesn't cross

into the brain as easily—can often solve the problem without losing the heart-health benefits.

Learn how to manage the hidden sleep costs of daily medications. Listen to the full podcast episode