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A walk through the stages of sleep | Sleeping with Science, a TED series
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A walk through the stages of sleep | Sleeping with Science, a TED series

What is Sleep and Its Importance?

Understanding Sleep Types

  • Sleep is crucial for resetting the health of both the brain and body, emphasizing the need to improve sleep quality and quantity.
  • Human sleep consists of two main types: non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Non-REM sleep has four stages, increasing in depth.

The Stages of Non-REM Sleep

  • In deeper non-REM stages three and four, powerful brain waves emerge, recharging the immune system and overhauling cardiovascular health.

The Role of REM Sleep

  • REM sleep is characterized by vivid dreams; it accelerates brain wave activity and provides emotional support while enhancing creativity by connecting information.

The Cycle of Sleep

  • Throughout the night, non-REM and REM sleep alternate in a 90-minute cycle, with their ratio changing as the night progresses.

Implications of Sleep Structure

  • Early in the night, deep non-REM sleep predominates; later on, REM sleep becomes more prevalent. This shift affects overall restfulness based on when one wakes up.
Channel: TED
Video description

Did you know you go on a journey every night after you close your eyes? Sleep scientist Matt Walker breaks down the difference between REM (Rapid-Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep, what occurs during each stage of sleep -- and why it's important to get enough of both. Sleeping with Science, a TED series, uncovers the facts and secrets behind our nightly slumber. Check out more episodes on TED.com: https://go.ted.com/sleepingwithscience