Whats the Difference Between REM and Non-REM Disorders?
Parasomnias fall into two main categories—disorders of REM sleep and non-REM sleep. REM, short for “rapid eye movement,” sleep is the most active stage of sleep during the second half of the night. This is when most dreams and nightmares occur. Because we spend more time in REM sleep during the latter part of the night, there is “more opportunity to get those symptoms, usually associated with waking up after a bad dream,” says Dr. Irbe. “[The person] might scream, look around, be confused. You can communicate with him, he’ll respond, he’ll remember what he dreamt about and can tell you in detail.” Normally, REM sleep is accompanied by muscle paralysis, which may be the body’s way of protecting itself (and others) during dreams. “Our brains are going into high gear during REM sleep,” Dr. Mahowald explains. “[Without the paralysis] we could act on brain activity.” People with REM sleep behavior disorder, who are almost always older men, lack that paralysis and physically act out their dr
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