Difference Between REM and NREM
Table of Contents
Sleep is an essential component of our existence. It boosts both physical and emotional well-being. There are two types of sleep: REM sleep and non-REM sleep. The quality of your sleep is influenced by a variety of things, including diet and room temperature. Consult a physician if you believe you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Sleep disturbances can be treated in a variety of ways.
REM vs NREM
The main difference between REM and NREM is that REM is an abbreviation for Rapid Eye Movement and is a stage of sleep during which eye movements are very noticeable, and the dreams are vivid, whereas NREM is an abbreviation for Non-Rapid Eye Movement and is classified into 3 stages during which eye movements aren’t noticeable and dreams aren’t as vivid or memorable.
The Rapid Eye Movement stage is one of the deepest stages of sleep. It typically consumes roughly a quarter of your sleep time. At first, REM occurs in small bursts that last only a few minutes, but it gradually extends into larger time segments. REM sleep is beneficial to your memory. Even when the eyes are closed, they will move quickly from side to side.
NREM refers to all stages of sleep that aren’t REM. The body can move while the eyes remain fixed. Stages of sleep range in intensity from stage 1 (lightest) to stage 4 (deepest) (deepest). Deep sleep occurs in stages 3 and 4, and here is where the majority of the physical repair happens. In NREM, growth hormone is generated, and cellular repair starts.
Comparison Table Between REM and NREM
| Parameters of Comparison | REM | NREM |
| Full-Form | Rapid Eye Movement | Non-Rapid Eye Movement |
| Stages | It is not classified into stages. | It is classified into 3 stages. |
| Dreams | Dreams are very common and vivid. | Dreams may occur in the third stage but aren’t as vivid or memorable. |
| Eye Movements | Eye movements are very evident and noticeable. | Eye movements aren’t as noticeable. |
| Energy Consumption | Uses more energy | Uses less energy |
What is REM?
REM sleep usually occurs approximately an hour and a half after you fall asleep. The first REM cycle lasts about ten minutes. The duration of each consecutive REM stage increases, with the final one lasting up to an hour. Both your respiration and pulse rate speed up. There is a lot of dreaming going on.
You are also more likely to have vivid dreams during REM sleep because your brain is more active. REM is significant because it stimulates parts of the brain that aid learning and is linked to increased protein synthesis.
Adults spend just approximately 20% of their sleep in the REM state. However, babies can spend up to 50% of their sleep in this stage. After passing through stages one, two, and three, the brain enters REM sleep, which lasts about 90 minutes.
When you enter REM sleep, your brain activity spikes again, indicating that your sleep isn’t as profound. The levels of activity are similar to when you’re awake. As a result, REM sleep is when you’ll get the most vivid dreams.
During REM sleep, your body undergoes a range of changes in addition to heightened brain activity and muscular relaxation.
Brain activity increases during REM sleep, voluntary muscles are blocked, and fast eye movements and dreams ensue. The next section delves more into REM sleep as well as the features of the various stages of non-REM sleep.
What is NREM?
Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages. Each stage might last anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. Before you attain REM sleep, you must go through all three phases. The physiological activity of non-REM sleep is reduced as bodily activities slow down. Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages, which are referred to as N1, N2, and N3.
The three different stages of NREM sleep are as follows:
- Stage N1 lasts only a few minutes and happens quickly after you fall asleep, and consists of a light sleep that you can be easily woken up from.
- The N2 stage lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Here, your muscles will start to relax, and slow-wave brain activity can be noticed.
- The N3 sleep stage lasts 20 to 40 minutes and is characterized by deep sleep. Delta brain activity intensifies at this stage, and a person may move their body. It is extremely difficult to rouse someone at stage N3.
Each stage has its own distinct characteristics, such as the depth of sleep or the degree of sensory and motor dissociation.
The body heals and regrows tissues, creates bone and muscle, and boosts the immune system during the deep stages of NREM sleep.
Electrical activity in the brain slows down during non-REM sleep, growth hormone is secreted, and muscle activity, heart rate, respiration, and oxygen consumption all decrease. Many brain regions, including the thalamus and cerebral cortex, govern non-REM sleep.
Main Differences Between REM and NREM
Conclusion
Before entering REM sleep, a person usually goes through the three stages of non-REM sleep. After falling asleep, it takes about 1 to 2 hours for this to happen. Every night, the cycle is repeated three to four times.
NREM sleep takes up more time in adulthood than REM sleep. In most cases, an infant spends half of his or her sleep period in NREM and the other half in REM stages. The first part of your REM sleep is brief. You’ll have more REM sleep and less deep sleep as the night progresses.
References
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