Sleep Patterns & Sleep Theories Module 23
Biological Rhythms of Sleep Circadian rhythm – Beta Waves - awake Alpha waves – relaxed, awake state Sleep – 90 minute cycle, 5-6 cycles/night, 4 stages Sleep stages: Measured in brain waves (EEG)
Biological rhythms of Sleep NREM Sleep - NREM 1: ( 5mintues) slowed breathing, irregular brain waves Alpha / theta waves Hallucinations – Hypnagogic sensations NREM 2 : (20 minutes) clearly asleep, easily awoken Theta waves Sleep spindles
Biological rhythms of Sleep NREM 3 : deep, slow-wave sleep, hard to awaken Delta waves Brain still processing REM Sleep – Dreaming Paradoxical sleep – muscles relaxed(paralyzed) while body systems are active Heart rate increases, breathing becomes rapid and irregular, eyes dart back and forth, genitals aroused(not due to dream content) As night wears on NREM3 sleep gets progressively briefer and then disappears. REM and stage 2 periods get longer Sleep cycle = NREM 1, NREM 2, NREM 3, NREM 2, REM
Biological Rhythms of Sleep REM: High arousal Paralysis Dreams NREM: Low arousal No paralysis No dreams
Need for Sleep Determined by: Biology/genetics Age Melatonin production Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) Culture Individual behavior
Biological rhythms of Sleep Sleep Theories: Protects/Evolutionary Helps us recuperate Restoring/rebuilding our fading memories of the day’s experiences Feeds creative thinking Supports growth