To many, the states of sleep and wakefulness seem to come without much thought or effort. Yet the transitions to these states, both neurologically and biologically, is far more complex than simply lying down and falling asleep. Scientists have only just been able to grasp basic understandings of human sleep patterns, but what they know has brought the concept of sleep from a daily ritual to a vast science. The following will look into the neurobiology of human sleep, states of wakefulness and sleep, and common sleep disorders and their causes. Today’s scientists define sleep as being the unconscious state characterized by limited sensory activity and a loss of voluntary muscle usage. The average human cycles repeatedly through two different
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Each of these stages can all be distinguished by the brain’s activity during this time. Stages 1 and 2 are characterized by slower theta waves, light sleep and can last from 5 to 10 minutes per stage cycle. Stage 2 sleep’s theta waves can be interrupted by periodic sleep spindles, making this stage different than the first. Stages 3 and 4 are characterized by delta waves, which are slower than the theta waves of stages 1 and 2. Sleep stage 3 is characterized by light sleep patterns, unlike stage 4, which is the deepest stage of sleep. It is usually around this period that any cases of sleepwalking and bedwetting would happen. Stages 3 and 4 are also the periods in the body’s joints and muscles heal themselves. REM sleep is characterized by the production of alpha waves, which are considerably faster than theta waves. The alpha waves produced during this time are the same waves produced during awake time. REM sleep is distinguished by the rapid eye movements and paralysis of muscles. It is here that the brain is rested and refreshed as the blood flow to it has diminished. Neurotransmitters are now replaced and memories in the motor cortex are converted into long-term memories in the temporal lobe. For this reason, sleep deprived humans may find trouble recalling
Each of these stages can all be distinguished by the brain’s activity during this time. Stages 1 and 2 are characterized by slower theta waves, light sleep and can last from 5 to 10 minutes per stage cycle. Stage 2 sleep’s theta waves can be interrupted by periodic sleep spindles, making this stage different than the first. Stages 3 and 4 are characterized by delta waves, which are slower than the theta waves of stages 1 and 2. Sleep stage 3 is characterized by light sleep patterns, unlike stage 4, which is the deepest stage of sleep. It is usually around this period that any cases of sleepwalking and bedwetting would happen. Stages 3 and 4 are also the periods in the body’s joints and muscles heal themselves. REM sleep is characterized by the production of alpha waves, which are considerably faster than theta waves. The alpha waves produced during this time are the same waves produced during awake time. REM sleep is distinguished by the rapid eye movements and paralysis of muscles. It is here that the brain is rested and refreshed as the blood flow to it has diminished. Neurotransmitters are now replaced and memories in the motor cortex are converted into long-term memories in the temporal lobe. For this reason, sleep deprived humans may find trouble recalling