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Brain Happenings: REM Sleep and Dreaming
Anton M. L. Coenen
The central theme of this paper deals with the phenomena of REM sleep in relation to dre-aming.
The physiological mechanisms of REM sleep, with primary characteristics of high
brain activity and paradoxically low muscle tone, is explained. The function of REM sle-ep
is discussed, particularly in terms of its cognitive and homeostatic functioning, but wit-hout
being able to draw any final conclusion. Arguments are given to support the exis-tence
of a third state of consciousness, namely REM sleep, aside from the two com-monly
accepted states of ’wakefulness’ and ’slow wave’ sleep or non-REM sleep. REM
sleep may not even belong to the domain of sleep itself, given the fact that REM sleep
may occur during, or interfere with, wakefulness. Another topic discussed is the suppo-sed
relationship of REM sleep to dreaming. Based on a number of considerations, it is
concluded that intense brain activity, regardless of its origin, may be the essential causal
factor of dreaming. Because high brain activity always accompanies REM sleep, it looks
as if there is a causal relationship between the two. This is refuted however by the occur-rence
of dreams during slow wave sleep, and also by the existence of hypnagogic hal-lucinations
during naps or while falling into sleep. (Sleep and Hypnosis 2000;2:69-73)
Keywords: REM sleep, dreaming, recall pardigm, information processing, activation-synthesis,
consciousness |
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