1. Sleep Patterns & Sleep Theories
Module 23

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. Biological Rhythms of Sleep
REM:
High arousal
Paralysis
Dreams
NREM:
Low arousal
No paralysis
No dreams

6. Need for Sleep Determined by: Biology/genetics Age
Melatonin production
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
Culture
Individual behavior

7. 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