What is REM sleep?

Sleep is often divided into two main categories - REM and non-REM (NREM) sleep. Each stage plays a unique role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is one of the distinct stages of sleep that you experience in a recurring cycle throughout the night.

REM sleep is characterized by rapid and random movement of the eyes (just as its name suggests). This stage of sleep is also associated with heightened brain activity, vivid dreaming, and a state of muscle paralysis that prevents you from physically acting out your dreams. Despite the increased brain activity during REM sleep, the rest of the body experiences a temporary loss of muscle tone, unlike in the non-REM stages of sleep, where muscle activity is more prevalent than brain activity.

The first episode of REM sleep during the night tends to occur around 90 minutes after falling asleep. Over the course of the night, subsequent REM periods get longer, and you will experience an average of four to six REM periods per night.

REM sleep serves several important functions:

• Dreaming and emotional processing - during this stage, dreams are thought to play a role in emotional processing and memory consolidation. The brain organizes and stores information from the day, helping to integrate new experiences and emotions.
• Cognitive restoration - REM sleep is believed to contribute to cognitive function and learning. It is essential for memory consolidation, problem-solving, and overall cognitive performance. Lack of REM sleep can impair these functions.
• Emotional regulation - REM sleep has been linked to emotional regulation and stress reduction. It may play a crucial role in processing and coping with emotional experiences, contributing to mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Physical restoration - while non-REM sleep is more associated with physical restoration and repair, REM sleep also plays a role in maintaining physical health. It is involved in maintaining the balance of various neurotransmitters and supporting overall neurological health.