Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Table of Contents

REM sleep may be the most fascinating and well-studied phase of sleep. Non-REM refers to the minimal eye movements of the first three stages of sleep, while REM refers to the rapid eye movements characteristic of the fourth and final stage of sleep.

Our understanding of sleep and dreams  took a significant step forward with the discovery of rapid eye movement sleep in 1951. Researchers discovered that not only do the eyes move during REM sleep, but the brain is nearly as active as it is while awake. Marked shifts occur in the brain and body during REM, heralding a stage entirely unlike the other three stages of sleep.

Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. If you feel you may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see your healthcare provider immediately.

REM: The Active Stage of Sleep

Each of the four cycles of sleep consists of four stages: three non-rapid eye movement stages referred to as N1, N2, and N3, and a rapid eye movement stage referred to as REM. Non-REM sleep dominates during the first half of the night, while REM stages get longer toward morning.

REM sleep occurs at the end of each cycle and is the lightest stage of sleep besides N1. The first REM stage begins approximately ninety minutes after the start of the sleep period. Because non-REM stages are longer at this time of night, the first REM period may last less than ten minutes. Approximately 20-25% of total sleep time is spent in REM sleep.

The eyes move in tandem during REM sleep. Though the eye movements are rapid in comparison to the non-REM stages of sleep, they are generally less rapid than during wakefulness. One study concluded that each eye movement of REM may indicate a “scene change” in a dream, similar to the way eyes move and see different things when the brain is awake.

Rapid Eye Movement

The rapid, jerky motion of the eyes that occurs during REM sleep.

The transition between the last stage of non-REM sleep and REM is typically signaled by a series of distinct body movements. These movements appear to be associated with loss of muscle tone and a significant increase in brain activity. (1)  Other physiological changes occur during REM sleep, including:

  • Faster and more irregular breathing
  • The appearance on electroencephalogram of mixed brain waves
  • Paralysis of the muscles
  • Rising levels of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with higher levels of brain activity
  • Increase in body temperature

BodyChanges

During REM sleep, heart rate and blood pressure approach waking levels. These fluctuations in bodily function are unique to REM, and do not occur at any other time during sleep or wakefulness.

REM Vs. Non-REM

In a healthy adult sleeper, all stages of NREM sleep must be passed through before REM sleep can occur. Only narcolepsy sufferers and babies are able to proceed directly from a wake state into REM. (2)

Though sleep stages usually proceed in order, they vary in terms of length as cycles repeat throughout the night. In addition, the amount of time spent in each stage may be dependent on when a person falls asleep. Early risers tend to spend more time in NREM sleep, which is dominant between 11 pm and 3 am. Night owls spend more time in REM sleep, which is more prevalent between 3 am and 7 am.

FAQ

Q: Is there a term for people who are in between early birds and night owls? A: Yes. People whose natural circadian rhythm falls somewhere in the middle are called intermediates.

 

Both efficiency and sufficiency of sleep are essential to feeling rested and enjoying the full health benefits of sleep. Poor quality or insufficient REM sleep can result in sleep fragmentation, (3) which may cause fatigue and cognitive impairment. Insufficient REM sleep may also lead to:

  • Lowered immunity
  • Impaired hormone production
  • Changes in metabolism
  • Elevated risk for neurological diseases such as dementia (4)

An inefficient sleep cycle can produce the same effects as sleep deprivation, including reduced concentration, poor hand-eye coordination, daytime sleepiness, and irritability.

The amount of time spent in REM sleep tends to decrease with age. (5) Sleep fragmentation also increases with age, though this may be due at least in part to medications used in the elderly to treat medical and psychiatric conditions.

Paradoxical Sleep

Another term for REM sleep. “Paradoxical sleep” refers to the physiological similarities between REM and the wake state.

REM Sleep and Dreaming

Dreams are most common and vivid during REM sleep. They occur on occasion during Non-REM sleep, but are strongly associated with REM and the physiological changes that occur during this stage. The brain activity and muscle paralysis of REM sleep set the stage for dreaming and prevent the acting out of dreams, which appear to help in the processing of emotion and memory.

PGOWaves

As REM sleep begins, the brain generates PGO waves, or Ponto-geniculo-occipital waves. These waves move from the brain stem to areas responsible for processing visual signals and information.

PGO waves appear to be closely connected to the eye movements of REM sleep as well as the visual phenomena experienced during dreams. Studies show that denser groups of PGO waves correlate to more vivid dreams, supporting the theory that PGO waves are associated with the visual element of dreams. (6) We may be able to “see” our dreams due to the involvement of PGO waves with parts of the brain associated with visual processing.

Some researchers theorize that PGO waves may also cue the brain to play back the day’s experiences and emotions during REM so they can be processed and stored as memories. Stress hormones are conspicuously absent during REM sleep, which some sleep scientists believe may help decrease negative emotions associated with certain experiences as the brain converts them to memories.

FAQ

Q: What are brain waves? A: Brain waves are synchronized pulses from large numbers of neurons, detectable on electroencephalogram as peaks and valleys.

 

REM-atonia: The Muscle Paralysis of REM Sleep

REM sleep originates in the pons, which functions as a messenger between the cortex and cerebellum in the brain. (7) The pons also causes temporary muscle paralysis during REM sleep by turning off signals to neurons in the spine. This prevents the acting out of dreams, which may cause injury to the sleeper and others, or result in damage to property. (8)

Sleep paralysis usually results from incomplete awakening during REM sleep. This form of parasomnia can cause the inability to move or speak while the brain is awake and conscious. Sufferers usually describe sleep paralysis as a frightening phenomenon, though the effects are temporary and typically last only a few seconds. Rare episodes may last for minutes or even longer.

SleepParalysis

REM sleep behavior disorder is a sleep disorder characterized by a loss of the muscle paralysis unique to REM sleep. Sufferers act out their dreams, and may cause injury or damage to surroundings. REM sleep behavior disorder affects approximately 1% of the population, and is a possible predictor of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or dementia. (9)

REM Over a Lifetime

REM sleep is the predominant stage of sleep in infancy, and gradually diminishes with age. (10) REM sleep decreases approximately 0.6% in each decade of life.

Babies

As much as 50% of a baby’s sleep time may be spent in REM, with the rest spent in the deep, restorative stage of N3 sleepThe muscle paralysis of REM-atonia is not fully developed in infants, allowing them to move and twitch during REM sleep. Because infants don’t have the motor skills or physical ability to act out dreams, the muscle paralysis of REM-atonia is not crucial at this age. REM-atonia is usually fully developed by age one.

Adolescents

By adolescence, REM comprises 25% of total time spent asleep. Natural changes in circadian rhythm during adolescence may be at odds with school start times, limiting REM sleep as well as other stages of sleep. Release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin occurs later at night in teenagers than in children and adults, causing the sleep drive to shift and conflicting with early school and sports schedules. (11)

Many adolescents do not get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep each night, and do not spend sufficient time in REM sleep. This type of chronic sleep loss may lead to lower cognitive function, irritability, depression, and daytime sleepiness.

REM

Adults

Adults spend approximately 20% of sleep time in REM sleep. During this phase of life, other stages of sleep dominate the sleep cycle, particularly the lighter stage of N2. REM sleep gradually decreases throughout adulthood and is replaced by other forms of sleep, as well as time spent awake during the night and while waiting to fall asleep.

Older Adults

Though sleep needs remain the same, REM sleep continues to decline into older age, plateauing by around age seventy-five. There appears to be a slight uptick in REM sleep in people in their early eighties, an increase not explained by current research.

The age-related decline in REM may be associated with a drop in certain sleep-related hormones such as growth hormone and cortisol. (12) These hormones may also be associated with a similar decrease in slow-wave N3 sleep.

Apnea

Cessation of breathing. Apnea comes from the Greek word apnous, meaning breathless.

Loss of REM sleep in old age may be exacerbated by conditions that are more common in later life. These include:

  • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or chronic insomnia
  • Medical conditions that can disrupt the circadian rhythm, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease
  • Menopause
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • Mental health challenges such as grief or depression

Some age-related changes to REM sleep may be mitigated by a regular exercise regimen, consistent sleep and wake times, and stress reduction techniques such as meditation and guided imagery. Early treatment of sleep disorders and other medical conditions may help regulate sleep and preserve the REM stage for as long as possible in old age.

Last Word from Sleepopolis

REM sleep is the last stage of the sleep cycle, a time when the sleeping brain is nearly is active as the awake brain. The dreams of REM sleep appear to allow for emotion and memory processing in an environment free of stress hormones. REM sleep may help explain why we often remember more positive than negative experiences, and are able to file away certain difficult events without damaging effects.

Each of the four stages of sleep complements the other, and has its own crucial function. Together, the four stages make up the complex architecture of sleep, one of the pillars of health and an essential part of well-being.

References

  1. Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors, Physiological Changes in Sleep States, Neuroscience, 2nd edition, Sinauer Associates, Inc. 2001
  2. Dauvilliers Y, Rompré S, Gagnon JF, Vendette M, Petit D, Montplaisir J., REM Sleep Characteristics in Narcolepsy and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Sleep, July 1, 2007
  3. Edward Stepanski, The Effect of Sleep Fragmentation on Daytime Function, Sleep, June, 2002
  4. Matthew P. PaseJayandra J. HimaliNatalie A. GrimaAlexa S.BeiserClaudia L. SatizabalHugo J. AparicioRobert J. ThomasDaniel J. GottliebSandford H. AuerbachSudha Seshadri, Sleep architecture and the risk of incident dementia in the community, 
  5. El Shakankiry HM., Sleep physiology and sleep disorders in childhood, Nature and Science of Sleep, 2011
  6. Jarrod Andrew Gott, Towards a Functional Understanding of PGO Waves, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Mar. 3, 2017
  7. Brooks PL, Peever JH., Unraveling the Mechanisms of REM Sleep Atonia, Sleep, Nov. 2008
  8. Martina Krenzer, Brainstem and Spinal Cord Circuitry Regulating REM Sleep and Muscle Atonia, Plos One, Oct. 17, 2011
  9. Fan Z, Niu Y, Zhang H., Case Report of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Shanghai Aarchives of Psychiatry, Apr. 2013
  10. Floyd JA, Janisse JJ, Jenuwine ES, Ager JW., Changes in REM Sleep Percentage over the Adult Lifespan, Sleep, July 2007
  11. Hagenauer MH, Perryman JI, Lee TM, Carskadon MA., Adolescent Changes in the Homeostatic and Circadian Regulation of Sleep, Developmental Neuroscience, June 2009
  12. Van Cauter, Age-related changes in slow wave sleep and REM sleep and relationship with growth hormone and cortisol levels in healthy men, JAMA, Aug. 2000

Rose MacDowell

Rose is the former Chief Research Officer at Sleepopolis. An incurable night owl, she loves discovering the latest information about sleep and how to get (lots) more of it. She is a published novelist who has written everything from an article about cheese factories to clock-in instructions for assembly line workers in Belgium. One of her favorite parts of her job is connecting with the best sleep experts in the industry and utilizing their wealth of knowledge in the pieces she writes. She enjoys creating engaging articles that make a difference in people’s lives. Her writing has been reviewed by The Boston Globe, Cosmopolitan, and the Associated Press, and received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. When she isn’t musing about sleep, she’s usually at the gym, eating extremely spicy food, or wishing she were snowboarding in her native Colorado. Active though she is, she considers staying in bed until noon on Sundays to be important research.