Home Sleep Health What happens to the body during REM sleep?

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28 April 2022

What happens to the body during REM sleep?

#rem sleep

REM sleep is when we are most likely to dream, hence the other name for it being ‘dream sleep.’ However, it is still possible to dream in other stages of sleep, but they won’t be as vivid or ‘story-like.’ 

It is also referred to as a paradoxical sleep as the muscles are actually in a state of paralysis, but this is not as worrying as it sounds, as involuntary muscle movements such as breathing still occur, and the muscles are still supplied with oxygen and blood.

During REM sleep, activation in visual, motor, emotional, and autobiographical memory regions of the brain is high, yet regions that control rational thoughts (regions of the far left and right side of the prefrontal cortex) are rather deactivated compared to the otherwise active areas of the brain during REM sleep.

This is really important for our mental health as the stress-related, anxiety-triggering chemical noradrenaline is shut off within the brain, and this stage of dream sleep helps the brain to recover from emotional wounds.

Scientists have also found that REM-sleep dreams allow memories to connect and merge in abstract and highly novel ways. While we are awake, our prefrontal cortex (located at the forefront of the brain) filters information according to its relevance. This is generally vital to ensure that we are not overrun by incoming stimuli around us in our daily lives.

At night, however, this prefrontal sensor shuts down while visual areas in the occipital lobe (located at the back of your head) increase in activity. As a result, we may come up with wilder, new or unusual ideas at night and often think in a much more visual way.

Problems which can sometimes occur in REM sleep

Drinking alcohol before bed is often not recommended as it can interrupt the sleep cycle - it may make you drop off easily, however, you will find yourself waking more during the night. Alcohol has been shown to suppress REM sleep: The metabolisation of alcohol is accompanied by the production of the chemicals, aldehydes and ketones, which in turn blocks REM sleep and deprives us from its valuable functions at night. 

There is also a link between narcolepsy and sleep paralysis in relation to REM sleep. We already know that, during REM sleep, the muscles are paralysed but return to normal as we begin to wake up, however, in some cases of narcolepsy the paralysis continues when you are awake, but subsides a few minutes into consciousness.

Paralysis, however, is not unique to narcolepsy but can also occur among healthy individuals. Generally, paralysis does not pose any worrying risks, however, if it occurs regularly or is getting worse, you should see your doctor. A regular sleep and bedtime routine, and a sufficient sleep duration could help to prevent paralysis.

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