Normal Night Sleep Research Paper

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A normal night's sleep can be generally divided into two types of sleep, rapid eye movement known as REM and non-rapid eye movement or NREM sleep. NREM sleep can be further divided into stages 1, 2 and 3 (N1, N2 and N3) which are characterized by different brain wave patterns, known as alpha, beta and theta waves. Whne a person is wide awake and active, his or her brain produces the pattern that is called beta waves (small and very fast). As the person relaxes, slower a

Sleep begins with the NREM stage 1 or N1 which is the lightest stage of sleep, the period when we drift in and out of sleep. This stage lasts about five to ten minutes and alpha waves are gradually replaced by slower and larger waves known as theta waves. A person may experience …show more content…

In this stage, the body temperature drops, while heart rates slows and breathing is more irregular. Brain waves are predominantely theta waves characterized by occasional, short bursts of brain activity known as sleep spindles. At this stage the sleeper is less aware of the outside world and if any sound is heard, he or she cannot understand its content.

When the sleeper enter stage 3, theta waves are replaced by delta waves (the slowest and largest brain waves). Also known as deep sleep, stage 3 is characterized by the lowest levels of body temperature, heart and breathing rate. Also, there is no muscle activity. During this stage, growth hormone is released which is the reason children spend more time in this stage. This is when sleep walking and night terrors occur. If awaken from this stage, a person will feel disoriented and confused.

After the stage 3, the sleeper goes back to stage 2 and then to REM stage most often associated with dreaming. Brain waves at this stage resemble the waves when a person is awake. Also, the level of heart rate increases, breathing is more rapid and shallow while muscles are paralyzed. Muscle paralisys is very important at this stage. If muscles were not paralyzed, people would be able to move and act out their dreams which could be very dangerous. This stage is very important for mental recovery and a person who had a very stressful day will spend more time in REM stage of

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