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Hey, this is Vanessa.

I need to give you a cautionary heads up that this episode touches on things that could be triggering for some people.

So please consider that when listening.

And if you have kids with you, I would turn this off now.

Also, I've heard from a lot of you that you enjoy listening to

Nocturne before you fall asleep. I'm Vanessa Lowe.

Sometimes the world of our dreams can be unsettling, even terrifying. The fear can be like an echo or a shadow of true emotion, or it can be utterly real, even justified.

At times, the fearful experiences we have at night can introduce questions into the nature of reality itself.

Many explanations have been offered for some of the most terrifying intrusions into sleep,

...