Exploring the Mysteries of REM Sleep
Sleep is a pivotal part of our daily lives. Without it, our bodies and minds suffer, yet there are still many mysteries when it comes to the workings of rest. One such type of sleep, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, is extremely important, and often calls for a closer examination.
REM sleep occurs associatively with dreaming. It was first noted in 1952 by two sleep researchers from University of Chicago Medicine. Waking a person in the midst of REM sleep, they found they recalled their dreams more easily than when awoken in any other stage of the sleep cycle. It is the late night peak in brain activity, when dreams are most vivid, that neurobiologist call REM Sleep.
Neurobiologist have divided up the sleep cycle into two distinct halves: non-REM sleep (NREM) and REM sleep. Going through the cycle, the body alternates back and forth between the two. It is during this REM cycle that the most vivid, complex dreams occur. It takes around 90 minutes for the body to cycle from one stage of sleep to the next, and REM commonly begins after this 90 minutes.
How Much REM Sleep Do We Need?
It is not known exactly how much REM sleep we should get each night, but it is believed to be important. An adult will typically go through four to five 90 minute cycles during the night, with each cycle containing around 25 minutes of REM sleep. It’s estimated that an adult should get two hours of REM sleep a night, although this is subject to individual sleeping patterns and habits.
Generally, it is believed that REM sleep fulfills certain needs and helps the body to function properly. Lack of REM sleep has been associated with effects such as tiredness, irritability and memory problems. On the flip side, getting an adequate amount of REM sleep has been found to help improve cognitive function and alertness.
What Are the Benefits of REM Sleep?
REM sleep is believed to be important in allowing the body to reset itself. It has been found to be very important for children and infants, who can spend up to 50 percent of their sleep time in REM. During REM sleep, the body is able to “recharge its batteries”, allowing for greater alertness and enhanced functioning during waking hours.
REM sleep also appears beneficial for other aspects of health. Scientists have suggested that REM sleep can help to encourage the production of hormones, proteins and chemicals. Whilst further research is needed, this could mean that during REM sleep, the body can rejuvenate itself and recover from the physical and mental factors of the day.
The brain also appears to use REM sleep as a time to ‘housekeep’, or clean up connections made in the brain during the day. It has been asserted that this could play an important role in memory retention and aid in sorting through important memories.
Common Problems with REM Sleep
Whilst REM sleep may seem beneficial, there are certain common issues that can arise from the cycle. Those with insomnia or other sleep-interrupted issues may have difficulty accessing REM sleep. This can be especially the case in elderly people. Problems such as loud snoring, sleep apnea and pain can all be disruptive to the REM sleep cycle.
REM sleep behaviour disorder, where a person will act out their dreams whilst asleep, can be another issue. This means that the person will move around, shout, or even have physical movement appropriate to the dream they are having. This can be a health concern if it persists, and it is important to check in with a doctor if this is believed to be the case.
Key Takeaways
- REM sleep is associated with dreaming, and is usually the peak in brain activity
- It is not known exactly how much REM sleep a person should get, but is estimated to be around two hours a night
- REM sleep plays an important role in body and brain function, from production of hormones to resetting the body
- Common problems of REM sleep include insomnnia, sleep apnea and REM sleep behaviour disorder
The importance of REM sleep cannot be understated. Our bodies and brains rely heavily on this time in order to reset and recharge, and it is vital that we maintain focus on giving ourselves time to get the amount needed for our bodies to be fully functioning.