What wakes someone from REM sleep?
Q: I’ve noticed a pattern in my disrupted sleep and that is that I almost always wake from REM. I’m awake a few minutes, then often right back to REM. Any idea what wakes someone from REM sleep?
A: REM sleep is unusually easy to wake from because the mind is very active. In fact, in terms of brain activity, REM sleep is more similar to waking consciousness than the other sleep states.
The body also has more activity during REM, including shallower breathing, a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. One theory of the function of REM sleep is based on providing this “transition” from the deeper sleep states to being awake. In this argument, REM helps rouse the mind and prepare for a successful launch back into waking awareness.
However, frequent REM awakenings may be based on sleep apneas, and these apneas may not be remembered. Some may not be captured accurately by Zeo either. Studies of REM-related sleep apnea suggest that apnea awakenings from REM are worsened and made more frequent by the supine body position, or sleeping on your back. By sleeping on your side, may reduce the number of apnea-related awakenings, which would then provide better sleep and more energy during the day.
While body position is important, a medical provider is the best source for finding new and more effective ways for reducing apnea-related awakenings.
Related Questions:
- Is it unusual to go directly from Wake to REM?
- Is it possible to get too much REM Sleep?
- Should I try to reduce my REM Sleep?
- Is is true that REM sleep is “deeper” than Deep sleep?
Academic References:
REM-related Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Effect of Body Position. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2010 August 15; 6(4): 343–348. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919664/
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