The Four Stages Of Sleep (REM) Rapid Eye Movement

Using an electroencephalogram, researchers noted four distinct stages of NREM sleep and one stage of REM sleep. As we sleep, we cycle through these stages like a circuit at the gym; spending more time on some machines and less time on others. We spend as much as ninety minutes in NREM stages and as little as ten minutes in REM per circuit.

Fifth Stage REM Rapid-Eye-Movement Sleep, while in REM breathing rates, brain activity increases and decreases, and brain waves are faster and smaller. Paradoxical sleep or active sleep refer to REM the reason for this is because brain, body become heightened and muscle movements are restrained but can twitch this is so dreams are not acted out. REM can last for up to fifteen min. From stage one NREM to REM sleep has taken about ninety min. For the rest of the night’s sleep cycle, it bounces between NREM and REM.

Sleep can be initiated at any point of the day, as their circadian clock is still in development;

Researchers have classified two definitive types of sleep, REM, otherwise known as rapid eye movement, and non REM and have divided the sleep cycle into four distinct stages. REM sleep is associated with dreaming as most of our dreams occur during this stage. REM waves are very fast and resemble beta waves which indicate that you are awake. REM sleep is usually

There are two distinct phases of human sleep. One phase is non-REM sleep, and the other is REM sleep. Non-REM sleep takes place in the first few hours of sleep at night, and REM sleep takes over the remaining hours allowing us to have dreams. Non-REM sleep is normally referred to as the resting state for our brain. Intense studies have discovered that the brain is less active during the phases of non-REM sleep compared to phases of being awake.

"Sleep disorders appear to be a global epidemic, affecting up to 45% of the world's population" (Noor, et al n.p.). That’s leaving a 55% chunk of the world’s population not affected. More than 70 million people in our nation experience sleep disorders, most of whom are unaware of the impact on their daily life (Wells,Vaughn 234). Due to a large portion of people being unaware of sleep disorders’ impaction, the number continuously increases. Major sleep disorders are known to be Rapid Eye Movement(REM), Insomnia, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA). Over 80 medically recognized sleep disorders exist with insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, jet lag, shift work, sleepwalking and restless legs syndrome being some of the most common (Wells, Vaughn

This stage is believed to help people enter deeper stages of sleep (4). Stage 3 sleep consists of 20-50 percent delta activity and stage 4 sleep of more than 50 percents delta activity (4). Stages 3 and 4 are characterized as being slow wave sleep in addition to being the deepest levels of sleep. Approximately 90 minutes after being asleep, people enter rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep (4). REM sleep consists of rapid eye movements, a desynchronized EEG, sensitivity to external stimulation, muscle paralysis and dreaming (4).

To start, let us get a little familiar with when REM sleep actually occurs. According to Luke Mastin, “REM sleep occurs in cycles of about 90-120 minutes throughout the night, and it accounts for up to 20-25% of total sleep time in adult humans, although the proportion decreases with age (a newborn baby may spend 80% of total sleep time in the REM stage). In particular, REM sleep dominates the latter half of the sleep period, especially the hours before waking, and the REM component of each sleep cycle typically increases as the night goes on” (Mastin, 2013). As the name REM suggests, it is related with random and rapid side-to-side movements when your eyes are closed, a case which can be looked at and measured by a unique technique called electrooculography. This eye motion is very irregular.

Non-REM sleep has 4 stages as it is the longest level of sleep. Each stage has certain characteristics and patterns of brain wave activity. REM sleep is a stage associated with dreaming. Motor neurons are inhibited to avoid acting out the responses while actively dreaming. However, the eye muscles are not inhibited for unknown reasons which allow the eyes to move rapidly which explains why it is called REM sleep. Sometimes parts of the brain can be more active and random than when it is awake but it varies with the intensity of the

Sleep consists of many different 90-minute cycles. These cycles are: alpha waves, NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, and REM sleep. The first stage of sleep is known as the alpha waves. Alpha waves are “relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state” (Myers, 2017, p. 55). During the alpha waves stage the person is not yet asleep, but is laying calmly with his or her eyes closed. Eventually the person falls asleep, without being consciously aware of it, and moves into stage two of sleep.

Starting from the ancient times human was always interested in strange phenomenon of sleeping and especially in dreams. Dreams were described in different ways. For instance, dreams were explained psychologically like images of sub consciousness and feedback of neural processes in human’s brain. Spiritually, it was described like messages of god (C.S. Lewis, nd). Remarkable that not only human have ability to see dreams but several species of animals (Wilkerson R. 2003). For example, rat’s sleep is almost same as the human’s they have multiple stages of sleep starting from slow wave sleep to REM stage of sleep (Animals have complex dreams, 2001). Another fact is that living beings, including humans, have more REM sleep in

It lasts about 5-10 minutes and one can be very easily awakened from this stage. People have reported dreamlike sensations while in this stage. REM sleep also considered “Rapid Eye Movement” occurs after stage 4 of sleep and is when your brain waves pick up more speed and strength.The stage “REM sleep” gets its name because while during REM sleep your eyes are moving rapidly under your eyelids. In this stage the muscles of the body are relaxed, but the other body systems are active and one’s breathing rate and heart rate increase. The first time in REM sleep lasts about 10 minutes, but as the night goes on the amount of time spent in REM sleep increases and the last stage may reach up to an hour long. REM sleep is when people experience their most vivid dreams. Once out of REM sleep one would start the sleep cycle over again, one typically goes through the cycle 4-6 times and night. These two terms aren't comparable, but they have quite a few differences. For example it is very easy to wake someone up from stage 1 of sleep but when someone is in REM sleep it may be very difficult to wake them up. Another difference is while people might be reporting “dreamlike” sensations during stage 1 of sleep, the vivid dreams that one has during REM sleep are the dreams that you will remember in the morning. While in REM sleep you get what is called restorative sleep, without it one may be extremely tired the next day and they could be irritable and not in a very good mood. On the other hand stage 1 provides you light sleep and starts you on the path to getting restorative

The third subject that is beneficial to understand sleeping is physiological aspect of sleeping. In spite of there a many theories about neurobiological aspect of dreaming and sleeping, some physiological theories are asserted. In general, theories about sleeping and dreaming try to explain functions, effects to human brain or body and the definition of them. As a definition Edwards reported that Dr. Hobson explained dreaming by using jogging example. All dreams or every parts of a dream are not be remembered by humans but brain understands that dreaming occurs. It is the same while walking, body does not remember each step however knows that it whole exercised (2009, Dreams may have an important physiological function). Last researches about

1. Your body goes through 4 stages of sleep. REM (rapid eye movement) is the 4th stage and when you do most of your dreaming. “While you are dreaming, your body undergoes noticeable changes.  Your adrenaline rises, your blood pressure increases, and you heart beats faster. Given this hyperactivity, it should be no surprise how someone with a weak heart can die in their sleep (dreammoods.com).” It usually takes 30-90 minutes to reach REM, a person goes in and out of REM 4-7 times a night. During REM your eyes rapidly move back and forth under the eyelids. Our bodies are completely immobile and muscles are relaxed. You may shift around in your sleep but when in REM you are completely still.

Sleep consists of two main stages of sleep; Non-REM (NREM) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Non-REM sleep consists of three stages each stage that you infiltrate is deeper. N1 or the transition to sleep, lasts from five minutes up to ten minutes and without difficulty you are awakened (e.g., Smith, Robinson, & Segal, n.d.). Jerky movements or muscle twitches occur during this stage as well. During stage N2, you are already in light sleep. This stage generally lasts from ten to twenty-five minutes. All the while, heart rate and body temperatures decrease, and eye movement stops. Lastly, at stage N3 it is very hard to be roused and blood flow is not heading to your brain but, towards the muscles of the body (e.g., Smith et al., n.d.).