Sleep and dreams

Sleep Cycle 1/3 of your life is spent asleep Circadian rhythms- a regular sequence of biological processes that occurs every 24 hours When removed from cues that signal day or night, our cycle is 25 hours

The Stages of Sleep Stage 1- lightest sleep; our brain waves slow down. If awakened during this stage it will feel like you haven’t slept at all. Lasts about 30-40 minutes Stage 2- heart rate slows and the brain begins to do less work, hard to be woken Stage 3- growth hormone is released, body repairs, may feel disoriented if woken Stage 4- REM sleep, most dreaming occurs here During an 8 hour sleep, someone would go through this cycle 5 times

REM vs NREM REM- Stage 4. A kind of sleep that occurs at intervals during the night and is characterized by rapid eye movements, more dreaming and bodily movement, and faster pulse and breathing. NREM- sleep is dreamless sleep. Stages 1-3. During NREM, the brain waves on the electroencephalographic (EEG) recording are typically slow and of high voltage, the breathing and heart rate are slow and regular, the blood pressure is low, and the sleeper is relatively still.

Importance of Sleep Helps revive the tired body Builds up resistance to infections Recover from stress

What happens with no sleep? Randy Garder tried to find out. He went 11 days without sleep! Became irritable, couldn't focus his eyes, speech difficulties, and memory loss The next 3 days he averaged 15 hours of sleep a day to recover There’s also been studies where people aren’t allowed REM sleep They learn slower than usual and forget things quicker

Dreams In REM sleep (stage 4) we have the most vivid dreams Of course dreams differ. Some are very detailed and lifelike. Some are very silly. If a dream is very lifelike and has clear imagery, that dream likely occurred during REM sleep

MAKE A SLEEP SURVEY Compile a list of at least 4 questions about sleep. Ask 5 students around the classroom to take your survey. What can you conclude from your data?

Sleep Problems Insomnia- a sleep disorder where it is hard to fall or stay asleep Treatments include: Tense the muscles one at a time and then let go. Helps to relax Avoid worrying in bed. If you are then get up for a bit Establish a routine for sleep Use pleasant images to relax

Nightmares and Night Terrors Night Terror- a sleep disorder in which there is an apparent terror. Unlike nightmares, night terrors are seldom remembered Also they are more severe and people may suddenly sit up, talk incoherently, or thrash about, but not fully wake up.

Sleepwalking, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy Sleepwalking- a sleep disorder where you walk in your sleep. Occurs during stages of deep sleep. Can even respond to questions, but won’t remember it when awake. Sleep Apnea- a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted Narcolepsy- a rare sleep problem in which people suddenly fall asleep, no matter what time it is or where they are. Drug therapy and frequent naps can treat it.

Questions 1. Briefly explain the stages of sleep 2. What is NREM sleep? 3. What is narcolepsy and why might it be dangerous? 4. How are nightmares and night terrors similar or different? 5. What are some recommended techniques to deal with insomnia? 6. Write about your own sleep patterns based on what you’ve learned today. 7. Write about a vivid dream or nightmare that you have experienced. Why do you still remember this dream?