What Is REM Sleep?
Article Sources
- 1. 'Sleep Basics: REM & NREM, Sleep Stages, Good Sleep Habits & More.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12148-sleep-basics.
- 2. Eagleman, David, et al. 'Why Do We Dream? A New Theory on How It Protects Our Brains.' Time, time.com/5925206/why-do-we-dream.
- 3. 'Dreaming Also Occurs during Non Rapid Eye Movement Sleep.' ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160809121817.htm.
- 4. 'Stages of Sleep.' Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/stages-of-sleep.
- 5. 'Dreams: FAQ.' Dreamresearch.net, University of California, Santa Cruz, dreams.ucsc.edu/FAQ.
- 6. ASA Authors & Reviewers Sleep Physician at American Sleep Association Reviewers and Writers Board-certified sleep M.D. physicians. 'REM Sleep: Why Is It Important?' American Sleep Association, www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep.
- 7. Publishing, Harvard Health. 'Repaying Your Sleep Debt.' Harvard Health, Harvard University, July 2007, www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Repaying-your-sleep-debt.shtml.
- 8. 'Nightmares: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment.' Sleep Foundation, 9 Oct. 2020, www.sleepfoundation.org/nightmares.
8. Inhibiting REM Sleep
Consuming drugs and alcohol can inhibit the REM sleep stage. Research shows that cannabis use can reduce the amount of REM sleep a person experiences at night, which lessens the chances of them dreaming and remembering their dreams.
Alcohol and tobacco use can also affect the REM stage of sleep. Drinking alcohol before bedtime reduces REM sleep, and has a negative impact on non-REM sleep as well. Smokers might wake up prematurely, have interrupted sleep and spend less time in the REM stage.1‘Sleep Basics: REM & NREM, Sleep Stages, Good Sleep Habits & More.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12148-sleep-basics.
Advertisement
