How do sleep stages change the brain during the night?
Quick Answer
Sleep cycles between NREM and REM stages about every 90 minutes. Deep NREM sleep supports physical restoration, while REM sleep is linked to vivid dreams and memory processing.
The Full Story
A typical night includes several cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep, with deep slow-wave sleep more common earlier in the night and REM periods getting longer toward morning. During slow-wave sleep, brain activity is dominated by slow oscillations that are thought to help recovery and memory consolidation. In REM sleep, the brain is highly active, but most skeletal muscles are temporarily paralyzed. Scientists identify these stages using EEG patterns, eye movements, and muscle tone.
Key Facts
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