The Science of Nightmares

Name: The Science of Nightmares
Start: 2025-10-28T15:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-28T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Linda Hall Library

Schedule

Tue Oct 28 2025 at 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Linda Hall Library | Kansas City, MO

REGISTER: https://events.lindahall.org/thescienceofnightmares/Facebook
Dr. Westley Youngren's research focuses on integrating sleep and dreaming science within trauma informed care, examining the relationship between nightmares and mental illness. He employs several different research methods, including polysomnography, treatment outcome studies, longitudinal studies and many more. Using sound cues, imagery and thought management, his work aims to allow people to have more control over their dreams, so they have less sleep disturbances and more peaceful sleep.
In this talk, Dr. Youngren will focus on introducing the relationship between traumatic experiences and sleep disturbances, such as nightmares. He will also cover nightmare research and nightmare treatments, which will include a discussion of active protocols at UMKC that employ targeted dream incubation in order to treat nightmares.