Discovered in
1953, phases of
sleep during which the
eyes move
rapidly (although the eyelids are closed). Also known as REM, these phases
occur at regular
intervals during sleep (there is a
cycle which lasts about 90 minutes).
Scientists have discovered many interesting facts about REM, including:
- Brain activity during REM starts in the part of the brain called the pons.
- Research subjects who are awakened during REM sleep can almost always remember their dreams.
- The body cannot move during REM sleep.
I don't have a
reference for it, but I have heard that if you deprive someone of REM sleep, they will go
bonkers.
refs: the QPB Science Encyclopedia, and http://www.sfn.org/briefings/rem_sleep.html