Does cheese give you nightmares?

BLOG: Cheese and Nightmares — Fact or Folklore?

Every year, as the nights draw in and the pumpkins appear, a familiar question drifts through the autumn air — does eating cheese before bed really give you nightmares? It’s one of those age-old warnings passed down through generations, whispered like a friendly ghost story: “Careful, or that midnight slice of cheddar will haunt your dreams.” This Halloween, we’re unwrapping the myth — exploring where it began, what science has to say, and whether cheese truly holds the power to summon strange dreams.

A Myth Aged to Perfection

The idea that food can conjure bad dreams has been around for centuries. In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens has Scrooge blame his ghostly vision on “an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese” — suggesting his haunting might be the result of supper, not spirits. Later, the early 1900s comic Dream of the Rarebit Fiend showed hapless diners suffering bizarre nightmares after indulging in Welsh rarebit — a rich, cheesy dish served on toast. Over time, these tales gave cheese its mischievous nocturnal reputation. Even today, around one in five people believe certain foods can influence their dreams — and cheese often tops the list. But folklore and physiology don’t always share the same recipe.

Science Takes a Bite

In 2005, the British Cheese Board decided to put the rumour to the test. Two hundred volunteers ate cheese before bed and recorded their dreams. The results were more entertaining than eerie: no nightmares in sight, though different cheeses seemed to shape the tone of dreams. Blue Stilton inspired surreal, imaginative dreamscapes — one participant dreamt of talking crocodiles. Cheddar brought a few celebrity cameos. Red Leicester triggered nostalgic, old-fashioned scenes. A little whimsy, yes, but nothing to lose sleep over. Modern research supports this conclusion. A Canadian study in 2015 found that while many people blame food for strange dreams, it’s often a matter of suggestion — if we expect cheese to cause nightmares, our minds may oblige. More recent work by dream scientist Dr Tore Nielsen found that only a small fraction of people report food-linked dreams, though those who are lactose intolerant do experience more disturbed sleep due to discomfort rather than dairy magic.

The Real Culprit

If your dreams turn wild after a midnight snack, it’s probably your habits, not your Havarti. Eating heavy or fatty foods too close to bedtime can interrupt digestion and trigger restless sleep. Cheese itself, however, contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supports serotonin and melatonin production — both linked to relaxation and healthy sleep. Aged cheeses do include tyramine, a natural stimulant that may keep the brain a touch more alert, but hardly enough to summon nightmares.

A Halloween Conclusion

So, should you fear the cheeseboard this Halloween? Not at all. The idea that cheese gives you nightmares is more folklore than fact — a story that lingers simply because it’s too charming to let go. If you’re not lactose intolerant, you can safely enjoy a wedge of something wonderful before bed. And since cheese isn’t the culprit of your spooky dreams, why not indulge in our limited-edition Halloween Cheeseboard — a hauntingly good celebration of autumnal flavours and artisan craftsmanship?

The Halloween Cheeseboard — Trick or Treat?

Something delicious this way comes… Combining mellow, creamy and mysterious notes, this beautiful collection is the perfect centrepiece for a ghostly gathering or a wickedly indulgent night in. Delivered with a personalised gift message and Free UK named-date delivery*, available until 7th November.

The Halloween Cheeseboard Contains:

• Eve: A beautiful goat’s cheese from Whitelake at Bagborough Farm in Somerset. Washed in Temperley Somerset Cider Brandy and wrapped in a vine leaf for a nutty, lemony finish.

• Sparkenhoe Red Leicester XO: Deep orange, rich, and subtly caramelised — a true autumn classic.

• Little Rollright: A soft, washed-rind cheese encircled in spruce bark, with a luxuriously gooey, golden centre.

• Trick or Treat Condiment: You’ll either receive Black Garlic Pickle, dark and umami-rich, or our Plum & Habanero Chilli Jam — a sweet, spicy blend of ripe plums and fiery habaneros for a devilish kick.

• Apricot, Date & Sunflower Seed Toasts: Frighteningly moreish toasts packed with sweet fruit and crunchy seeds.

All Paxton & Whitfield deliveries are packed in 100% sheep’s wool insulation with reusable icepacks, ensuring a perfect arrival every time. After all, sweet dreams are made of cheese…

Find our Halloween cheeseboard for 2025 here

Happy Halloween — and pleasant dreams. 🎃🧀