Sleep Stages There are 5 identified stages of sleep. It takes about 90 minutes to pass through the stages. The brain’s waves will change according to the sleep stage you are in. The first four stages and known as NREM sleep. The fifth stage is called REM sleep.

Stage 1 Kind of awake and kind of asleep. Only lasts a few minutes, and you usually only experience it once a night. Your brain produces theta waves.

Stage 2 More Theta Waves. that get progressively slower. Begin to show sleep spindles…short bursts of rapid brain waves.

Stages 3 and 4 Slow wave sleep. You produce delta waves. If awoken you will be very groggy. Vital for restoring body’s growth hormones and good overall health. From stage 4, your brain begins to speed up and you go to stage 3, then 2….then ……REM sleep.

Fig. 7.5 Changes in brain-wave patterns associated with various stages of sleep. Actually, most wave types are present at all times, but they occur more or less frequently in various sleep stages.

REM Sleep Rapid Eye Movement. Called “paradoxical sleep”. Brain is very active. Body is essentially paralyzed. Vivid dreams. BP, breathing, & HR increase. REM cycles get longer as the night goes on.

REM Sleep Genitals become aroused. Erections and clitoral engorgement. “Morning Erections” are from the final REM stage. A typical 25 year old man has an erection during half of his sleep. A 65 year old - one quarter.

NREM Sleep Non Rapid Eye Movement: slower brain waves, regular heart rate and blood pressure. Little or no dreaming. Sleepwalking, bedwetting, and night terrors occur during stage 4 sleep (deep sleep).

REM Deprivation People who are deprived of REM sleep (4-7 nights) became irritable, anxious, and couldn’t concentrate. When allowed to get REM sleep, they experienced REM Rebound (longer periods of REM sleep) and lots of dreaming.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Persistent problems falling asleep or staying asleep. Effects 10% of the population. Most common sleep disorder.

Somnambulism Sleep Walking. Most often occurs during in stage 4 (deep sleep). More common with children.

Sleep Apnea A person stops breathing during their sleep. Wake up momentarily, gasps for air, then falls back asleep. Very common, especially in heavy males. Can be fatal.

Narcolepsy Uncontrollable urge to sleep. Effects 1 in a 1,000. Treated with CNS stimulants.

Night Terrors Sudden arousal from stage 3 or 4 sleep with a scream, cry or terror. Usually occurs with children.

Sleep Bruxism Grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep.

REM Behavior Disorder “Act out” dream activity.

Hypnosis

Altered state of consciousness? Posthypnotic suggestion. Posthypnotic amnesia.

Hypnotic Theories Social Influence Theory Hypnosis is NOT an altered state of consciousness. Different people have various states of hypnotic suggestibility. A social phenomenon where people want to believe. Works better on people with richer fantasy lives. State Theory Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Dramatic health benefits. It works for pain best.

Uses of Hypnosis Can help with minor pain, normal childbirth, some dental work, headaches, etc. Doesn’t work for everyone. Does NOT improve memory.

Dissociation Theory We voluntarily divide our consciousness up. Ice Water Experiment. Hypnosis dissociates the sensation of pain from the emotional suffering that defines our experience of pain.