rapid eye movement sleep
Active dream slumber
Rapid eye movement sleep, or REM sleep, is the sleep stage characterized by quick, darting movements of the eyes beneath closed lids.
During REM, the brain is highly active—dreaming occurs most vividly—while the body remains largely paralyzed.
REM alternates with deeper, non-REM stages throughout the night, becoming longer toward morning.
Sleep researchers consider it essential for memory consolidation and mental restoration.
- sleepRecurring unconscious repose
- brain wavesElectrical patterns from neurons
- brain activityMental processes occurring
- slumberLight, restful unconsciousness
- REMAcronym for dreaming phase
dreaming · vivid dreams · cataplexy · unconsciousness · sleep paralysis · acetylcholine · parasomnias · night terrors · neurotransmitters · emotional regulation · sleep spindles · circadian rhythm · restless legs syndrome · sleep stages · sleep cycle · sleep-wake cycle · sleep study · dream recall
rapid eye movement sleepnon-REM sleep
Restful phase without dreaming
deep sleep · light sleep · dreamless sleep · restorative sleep
rapid eye movement sleepwakefulness
State of being conscious
alertness · coma · waking state · brain death · arousal
rapidly, rapidity, rapids, eyelet, movement, movements, movers, movable, immovable