If you’re familiar with the science behind sleep, you’ve likely heard of the term “REM sleep.” It’s the last of five stages of sleep you go through during the night. While most experts agree that deep sleep is the most important for recovery, REM sleep provides many benefits, too.

In fact, a lack of REM sleep could lead to a host of mental and physical health problems.

What is REM sleep?

REM stands for “rapid eye movement.” It’s the final sleep stage, and you usually enter it about 90 minutes after falling asleep. However, it sometimes occurs late during the sleeping period, just before it’s time to wake up.

Either way, REM sleep is aptly named for the strange behavior of the eyes and brain. The eyes move around behind your eyelids as if you’re looking at your surroundings. Meanwhile, the brain activity is similar to what you’d experience during the say.

So what’s going on?

The brain experiences more activity in parts of the brain that deal with emotions, visuals, and motor skills. But because your muscles are in a quasi-paralyzed state, you cannot actively move them. REM sleep is when you have your most vivid dreams. While some parts of the brain are highly active, others experience less activity. One notable example is the part of the brain that deals with rational thought.

Therefore, some sleep experts believe that REM sleep is responsible for lucid dreaming and strange nighttime experiences.

Why REM Sleep Matters

Answering, “What is REM sleep?” is just one piece of the puzzle. What makes it so important?

REM sleep can significantly impact how your brain reacts to certain stimuli during the day. Experts believe that adequate REM sleep could make you less likely to develop issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also help you identify facial expressions and be less fearful of the unknown.

A lack of REM sleep may even put you at risk for neurological disorders. Scientists have observed links between poor REM sleep, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about mental and physical health. She advises people on difficulty sleeping & online sleep programs. You can find her thoughts at top sleep experts blog.