Electroencephalograph (EEG)
a test that measures sleep by putting electrodes on the scalp which helps reflect synchronous activity of millions of neurons
REM Sleep
stage of sleep where a person’s brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure increase, and the eyes move rapidly when close
Hypnogogic Hallucinations
hallucinations that happen when you are falling asleep
Hypothalamus
the body's internal clock; regulates the sleep-wake cycle
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)
Thousands of cells within the hypothalamus that receive information about light exposure
Brain Stem
communicates with the hypothalamus to control the transitions between wake and sleep
Thalamus
acts as a relay for information from the senses to the cerebral cortex
Cerebral Cortex
the covering of the brain that interprets and processes information from short to long term memory
Pineal Gland
increases production of the hormone melatonin
Basal Forebrain
promotes sleep and wakefulness
Midbrain
acts as an arousal system
Amygdala
almond-shaped structure involved in processing emotions, become increasingly active during REM sleep
Restorative Theory
Sleeping regularly helps improve memories. REM sleep is important for brain health
Evolutionary Theory
Sleep has developed to enhance our survival
Awake
beta waves: low amplitude, high frequency
Drowsy
alpha waves: high amplitude, low frequency
Stage 1 of Sleep
Non-REM sleep, the changeover from wakefulness to sleep; theta waves (low amplitude, low frequency)
Stage 2 of Sleep
Non-REM sleep, period of light sleep before entering deeper sleep. This is when sleep spindles occurs.
Stage 3 of Sleep
Non-REM sleep, period of deep sleep; delta waves
Dyssomnia
problems with quality, timing, and amount of sleep
Narcolepsy
falling asleep suddenly and uncontrollably
Insomnia
consistent inability to get to sleep, or frequent awakening during sleep
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
when your body’s internal clock, which tells you when its time to sleep or wake, is out of sync with your environment
Sleep Apnea
irregular breathing during sleep
Transient Insomnia
hasn’t slept in a week or less, usually caused by stress and the environment
Acute Insomnia
hasn’t slept in a month or less
Chronic Insomnia
hasn’t slept in a more than a month; causes could be drugs, pain, jetlag/hormones, parasomnia
Parasomnia
unusual and undesirable physical events or experiences that disrupt sleep.
-sleepwalking
-sleep talking
-sleep terrors
-teeth grinding