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Sleep Cycle
Sleep Cycle
Scientists used to believe the brain was inactive during sleep. After further research, they realized that this was far from the case. Now, electroencephalograms (EEGs) are used to measure brain activity during sleep. Scientists have found that sleep is cyclical and have split it into two categories: REM and NREM.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM)
Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM)
- 20-25% of total sleep is REM
- Brain waves typically have a low amplitude and high frequency
- Eye movements are present while arm and leg muscles are paralyzed
- Dreaming occurs
- Stages
- N1: 1-7 minutes
- N2: 10-25 minutes
- N3: 20-40 minutes
- Deepest sleep stage
- Brain waves have a high amplitude and low frequency
- Less responsive to external stimuli
*Data is for an average, healthy adult. These can vary based on age, recent sleep or wakefulness, and behaviors prior to sleep.
Why do we dream?
Why do we dream?
There are various predictions as to why humans dream. Some scientists have reported that dreaming is helpful for information processing and cognitive development. Other scientists think that dreams are simply the by-product of normal neural activity during sleep. It has also been predicted that dreams are essential for emotional health and are the brain's way of developing memories and solving problems. There are four main theories that help us to understand dreaming:
1. Wish-fulfillment
1. Wish-fulfillment
2. Direct Mental Expressions
2. Direct Mental Expressions
- Developed by psychoanalyst and neurologist Sigmund Freud
- Reflections of the unconscious mind
- Dreams are the "royal road to the unconscious"
- Dreams are the chance to act out things that couldn't happen in daily life
- Expressions of guilt- dreams act as a sort of therapy to ease emotions
- Dreams disguise their meaning- full of symbolism specific to each person and their experiences
- Developed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung
- Expression of our unconscious mind through imagination
- Dreams don't conceal, they reveal
- Direct symbolism and metaphors
- Dreams are difficult to interpret when conscious because language of the unconscious state is different
- Individuation: dreams work to connect our conscious and unconscious lives
- Two functions for dreams:
- Compensate for psyche imbalance
- Provide prospective images of the future to anticipate future events
3. REM and Activation Synthesis
3. REM and Activation Synthesis
4. Threat Simulation Theory
4. Threat Simulation Theory
- Proposed by Harvard professors, Allan Hobson and Robert McCarlet
- Discovered the electrical signals (EEGs) that pass through the brain during REM sleep
- Dreams are a by-product of these electrical signals
- Dreams are the brain's way of understanding these random signals and electrical activity that occur during sleep
- No personal, deeper meaning
- Developed by psychologist, Antti Revonsuo
- Amygdala fires during REM sleep like during a dangerous situation (fight or flight response)
- Dreams are an evolutionary advancement to practice for real life situations
- Quickens threat recognition and response
These are just a few of the many theories that aim to explain dreaming. Even these few theories vary and disagree on certain points and because it is so hard to test and study dreaming, many of the proposed theories cannot fully be accepted due to a lack of scientific proof. While no one is 100% sure why humans dream, there is one main point that has been accepted about dreaming: REM sleep (where dreaming occurs) is essential for humans, both biologically and psychologically.
Why does this matter to you?
Why does this matter to you?
Every person dreams, whether they realize it or not. While not just one theory has been accepted to explain the purpose of dreams, they impact lives daily. Dreams can play an important role in mental health. For example, some believe they lead to a more balanced psyche or improved information processing. Dreams can also play an important role in memory creation and manipulation. The study of dreams and why they occur can also further the understanding of sleep disorders. A better understanding of these disorders can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments. Some scientists, like Carl Jung, believe that dreams are the way the unconscious self tries to communicate with the conscious self. It is important to note that while this may be the case, there is no one way to interpret a dream. When it comes down to it, dreams are specific to each person and YOU are the expert.
Want to learn more about Sigmund Freud? Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQaqXK7z9LM&t=310s
Want to learn more about Carl Jung? Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0KzUS0b_uc
Bibliography
Bibliography
Hurd, Ryan, et al. “Dream Studies Press.” Dream Studies Portal, dreamstudies.org/2009/11/25/carl-jung-dream-interpretation/.
“In Your Dreams.” National Sleep Foundation, sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/your-dreams.
McLeod, Saul. “Saul McLeod.” Freud's Theories | Simply Psychology, 1 Jan. 1970, www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html.
“Natural Patterns of Sleep.” Natural Patterns of Sleep | Healthy Sleep, healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/what/sleep-patterns-rem- nrem.
“The Psychology of Dreams: Inside the Dream Mind.” BUonline, 23 Sept. 2016, online.brescia.edu/psychology-news/psychology-of-dreams/.
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