What is the difference between REM and NREM?

REM, or rapid eye movement, occurs during sleeping and is said to be a normal stage of sleeping. NREM or non-rapid eye movement is a group of sleeping cycles which can be broken down from stage 1-3. REM is not included here. In NREM, muscles are paralyzed due to the deep sleep unlike in the REM cycle.

What does REM sleep do for us?

REM sleep is important to your sleep cycle because it stimulates the areas of your brain that are essential in learning and making or retaining memories.

Why Is REM and NREM sleep important?

Non-REM sleep is just as important as the REM stage of sleep but contributes to your health differently. NREM sleep helps your body wind down and fall into a deep sleep, which helps you feel more rested in the morning. However, getting a good night’s sleep is about more than improving daytime sleepiness.

What happens in non-REM sleep?

Stage 1 non-REM sleep is the changeover from wakefulness to sleep. During this short period (lasting several minutes) of relatively light sleep, your heartbeat, breathing, and eye movements slow, and your muscles relax with occasional twitches. Your brain waves begin to slow from their daytime wakefulness patterns.

Is REM sleep better than non-REM sleep?

Several studies have explored the benefits of REM sleep and found that not only does an increase in REM improve depression, anxiety and cognitive brain function, it also decreases blood pressure and provides other overall health benefits.

How does lack of REM sleep affect you?

Physically, REM sleep loss is associated with increased inflammatory responses, increased risk for obesity, and memory problems. Patients with sleep apnea, which may be associated with a complete loss of REM sleep, are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression.

What happens if you don’t get REM sleep?

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to greater risk of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, dementia, depression, cardiovascular disease and cancer. There has also been research to show that insufficient REM sleep may cause migraines, and some medical conditions (sleep apnea for example) can have adverse effects on it.

Which is more important REM or deep sleep?

Scientists agree that sleep is essential to health, and while stages 1 to 4 and REM sleep are all important, deep sleep is the most essential of all for feeling rested and staying healthy.

What type of sleep is best?

Scientists agree that sleep is essential to health, and while stages 1 to 4 and REM sleep are all important, deep sleep is the most essential of all for feeling rested and staying healthy. The average healthy adult gets roughly 1 to 2 hours of deep sleep per 8 hours of nightly sleep.