Dreaming Sleep Brain Activity and Cycles

Dreaming sleep, also commonly known as REM or rapid eye movement sleep, is one of the two basic states of sleep. The other basic state of sleep is NREM sleep or non-rapid eye movement sleep.

Dreaming sleep is notable for the presence of rapid eye movement (REM). Dreams can occur during the REM stage of sleep, which is why it is also commonly known as dreaming sleep. Dreams do not typically occur during other states of sleep.

Dreaming Sleep

Dreaming sleep is a deep stage of sleep with intense brain activity in the forebrain and midbrain. It is characterized by the ability of dreams to occur, along with the absence of motor function with the exception of the eye muscles and the diaphragm. Dreams sleep occurs cyclically several times during sleep, but it comprises the smallest portion of the sleep cycle.

During REM sleep, there are changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and overall breathing rate. Also during REM sleep, blood flow becomes increased to the brain, as well as the penis and clitoris, which results in engorgement.

Non-Dreaming Sleep

Dreaming sleep, or REM is one of the two basic states of sleep. The other basic state of sleep is non-rapid eye movement sleep or NREM sleep. NREM is also referred to as non-dreaming sleep, as dreams do not occur during this state of sleep. Unlike REM sleep which is just a single, deep stage of sleep, NREM consists of three separate stages.

The three different stages of NREM sleep are N1, N2, and N3, and each separate state has unique, distinct, and recognizable electrical brain wave patterns. Non-rapid eye movement sleep is typically characterized by a decreased amount of blood flow to the brain and the skeletal muscle.

Cycles of Sleep

REM and NREM sleep alternate in cycles throughout the night. Generally, there are four to six different cycles of NREM sleep per night. These cycles of NREM sleep account for the largest portion of overall sleep for the night. The cycles of NREM sleep are followed by intervals of REM sleep, which is extremely deep sleep. Typically, sleep cycles last about 90 minutes.

As the average night goes on, the periods of NREM sleep shorten in length, while the periods of REM sleep become longer. In other words, it takes a while for deep sleep to take over in an evening. For this reason, REM sleep is not typically achieved during brief naps. On average, an adult spends about 25% of the night in REM sleep. The percentage of time spent in REM sleep may decrease with age. Frequent disturbance of REM sleep may contribute to false awakenings.