Dreaming sleep, also commonly known as REM orrapid eye movement sleep, is one of the two basic states of sleep. The other basic state of sleep is NREM sleep or non-rapid eye movement sleep.
Dreaming sleep is notable for the presence of rapid eye movement (REM). Dreams can occur during the REM stage of sleep, which is why it is also commonly known as dreaming sleep. Dreams do not typically occur during other states of sleep.
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Dreaming Sleep
During REM sleep, there are changes inblood pressure, heart rate, and overall breathing rate.Also during REM sleep, blood flow becomes increased to the brain, as well as the penis and clitoris, which results in engorgement.
Interpreting Sexual Dreams: Can They Tell Us Anything?
Non-Dreaming Sleep
Dreaming sleep, or REM is one of the two basic states of sleep. The other basic state of sleep is non-rapid eye movement sleep or NREM sleep. NREM is also referred to as non-dreaming sleep, as dreams do not occur during this state of sleep. Unlike REM sleep which is just a single, deep stage of sleep, NREM consists of three separate stages.
Cycles of Sleep
As the average night goes on, the periods of NREM sleep shorten in length, while the periods of REM sleep become longer. In other words, it takes a while for deep sleep to take over in an evening. For this reason, REM sleep is not typically achieved during brief naps. On average, an adult spends about 25% of the night in REM sleep.The percentage of time spent in REM sleep may decrease with age. Frequent disturbance of REM sleep may contribute tofalse awakenings.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.Mascetti GG.Unihemispheric sleep and asymmetrical sleep: behavioral, neurophysiological, and functional perspectives. Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:221-38. doi:10.2147/NSS.S71970Mesarwi O, Polak J, Jun J, Polotsky VY.Sleep disorders and the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42(3):617-34. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.05.001Patel AK, Araujo JF.Physiology, Sleep Stages. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearlsKoo DL, Nam H.Clinical Considerations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Little REM Sleep. J Clin Neurol. 2016;12(4):426-433. doi:10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.426
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.Mascetti GG.Unihemispheric sleep and asymmetrical sleep: behavioral, neurophysiological, and functional perspectives. Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:221-38. doi:10.2147/NSS.S71970Mesarwi O, Polak J, Jun J, Polotsky VY.Sleep disorders and the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42(3):617-34. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.05.001Patel AK, Araujo JF.Physiology, Sleep Stages. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearlsKoo DL, Nam H.Clinical Considerations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Little REM Sleep. J Clin Neurol. 2016;12(4):426-433. doi:10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.426
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.Mascetti GG.Unihemispheric sleep and asymmetrical sleep: behavioral, neurophysiological, and functional perspectives. Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:221-38. doi:10.2147/NSS.S71970Mesarwi O, Polak J, Jun J, Polotsky VY.Sleep disorders and the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42(3):617-34. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.05.001Patel AK, Araujo JF.Physiology, Sleep Stages. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearlsKoo DL, Nam H.Clinical Considerations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Little REM Sleep. J Clin Neurol. 2016;12(4):426-433. doi:10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.426
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.
Mascetti GG.Unihemispheric sleep and asymmetrical sleep: behavioral, neurophysiological, and functional perspectives. Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:221-38. doi:10.2147/NSS.S71970
Mesarwi O, Polak J, Jun J, Polotsky VY.Sleep disorders and the development of insulin resistance and obesity. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42(3):617-34. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.05.001
Patel AK, Araujo JF.Physiology, Sleep Stages. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls
Koo DL, Nam H.Clinical Considerations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Little REM Sleep. J Clin Neurol. 2016;12(4):426-433. doi:10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.426
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