1.5 - Sleep and Dreams

Consciousness

State of being aware of and able to perceive one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings

Circadian rhythm

24 hour cycle that regulates sleep and wake

• Impacted by jet lag and shift work

nREM Stage 1

• Drifting in and out of sleep

• Hypnic jerks & hallucinations

• Brain waves slow down

nREM Stage 2

• Light sleep

• Sleep spindles & K-complexes

nREM Stage 3

• Very deep sleep

• Delta Waves

• Restoration and replenishment of energy, repairs tissues, removes waste products

REM

• Vivid dreams

• Muscles paralysis

• Memory consolidation

REM Rebound

Body increases time spent in REM sleep after a period of REM deprivation

Activation-Synthesis

Dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during REM sleep

Consolidation Theory

Dreams play a role in the memory consolidation and processing of memories

Insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep

• Leads to fatigue, mood disturbances, and decreased cognitive function

Narcolepsy

Excessive daytime sleepiness or muscle weakness (cataplexy)

• Sleep paralysis

• Hallucinations during sleep onset or awakening

Sleep apnea

Pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

People/animals act out their REM dreams physically

Somnambulism (sleepwalking)

Walking or performing other activities while still asleep

Night terrors

Occurs during nREM-3 sleep