The Science of Sleep
Sleep is a complex and dynamic process that occurs in several stages throughout the night.
There are two main categories of sleep: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
NREM sleep is divided into three stages:
Each stage is characterized by different patterns of brain waves and physiological changes.
Stage 1 is the lightest stage of sleep, and it is often referred to as the transition stage between wakefulness and sleep. During this stage, the brain produces alpha and theta waves, and the body begins to relax. People in Stage 1 sleep can be easily awakened.
Stage 2 is a deeper stage of sleep, and it is characterized by the presence of sleep spindles and K-complexes. Sleep spindles are brief bursts of brain activity, while K-complexes are large, high-voltage waves that occur in response to external stimuli such as noise.
Stage 3 is the deepest stage of sleep, and it is often referred to as slow-wave sleep (SWS). During this stage, the brain produces delta waves, which are large, slow brain waves. It is difficult to wake someone up from Stage 3 sleep, and if they are awakened, they may feel groggy and disoriented.
REM sleep is the stage of sleep where most dreaming occurs. It is characterized by the rapid movement of the eyes, muscle paralysis, and increased brain activity. REM sleep usually occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and recurs about every 90 minutes throughout the night. Each REM phase can last from a few minutes up to an hour. During REM sleep, the brain is highly active, and it is thought to be important for memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
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