People who are guilty of murder in their dreams tend to be more creative, a study has found.
Dream murderers are 'more creative'
Researchers at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf studied people who react violently - even in self-defence - during their nightmares by getting them to make note of their dreams.
Their work found that killing people is actually the most common act of dream violence, although it was pointed out this usually came down to self-defence.
While it's not surprising that violent dreams were common in people who have a real history of violence, the survey also found the same can be said for those with creative achievements.
Lead author Jonas Mathes told IFLScience: ''Nightmare dreamers who are also more creative may also be more creative in reacting to the aggressor actively.
''Instead of running away, they fight back, or probably they are offending because they want to save or protect another dream character.''