REM Sleep & Remembering Dreams

Part 2

REM Sleep & Remembering Dreams

(...Continued From REM Sleep & Remembering Dreams Pt 1 )

Now let us take a look at the mechanics behind REM sleep. Early ideas about sleep
inclined to a 'passive' theory that sleep occurs to prevent fatigue or is caused by a
lack of sensory stimulation. To support that notion, certain experiments showed that
if incoming nerves in the mid-brain were severed, the organism remained virtually in
constant sleep.
Some theories propounded that the brain was actively inhibiting consciousness in
order to achieve sleep, and some experiments showed that cats could be put to sleep
by electrical stimulation of a part of the brain.
It gradually became accepted that the reticular formation in the brain stimulates the
cortex of consciousness. There seems to be an inherent rhythmic sleep-wake cycle,
but wakefulness is aided by external sensory stimulation.
Several factors assist in maintaining wakefulness by stimulating the reticular
formation, such as a decrease in blood oxygen level, excess of carbon dioxide or
excessive warmth. The cortex itself is capable of exerting a strong effect on
wakefulness - worries or excitement can keep us awake.
When the electrophysiological monitoring of people during sleep began, the distinct
states of slow-wave sleep, (SWS), and REM became known. Research has shown that
the two sleep states are governed by the ebb and flow of neuro-transmitter
substances at the base of the brain.
It is fascinating, in a sleep laboratory, to observe that inevitable alternation, in a
roughly 90 minute cycle. Typically, the subject is 'wired up' with sensors called
electrodes, that are stuck by tape or glue to the body to detect electrical signals
accompanying muscular or nervous activity.
Two electrodes on measured positions, (for consistency between laboratories), of a
few millionths of a volt are used. Four other electrodes, placed above and below the
outer edge of each eye record eye-movements, (EOG), in any direction, and two
others on the jaw measure muscular tonus, (EMG).
Those measures provide enough information for a standardised evaluation of sleep
state, but often other measures, such as respiration and body temperature, are also
recorded. The data formerly appeared on chart paper emerging from the recording
instrument - termed a polygraph - but it is more likely nowadays to be stored in a
computer and displayed on a screen.
SWS has been arbitrarily divided into four stages, according to the amount of slow
waves of a certain amplitude that are present. At sleep onset, in stage one, the eyes

begin to roll slightly in many subjects and the waking alpha rhythm, (about ten cycles
per second), of the EEG disappears. In stage two, there are sudden 'k-complexes' in
the EEG in response to external or internal stimuli. Stage three exhibits definite large
slow waves and if over half the record consists of such a pattern, stage four is
registered. After perhaps 20 minutes or so of stage four sleep, the sequence is
reversed, to perhaps stage two, and then REM sleep suddenly makes an entry.
The EEG of REM sleep is active - showing saw-toothed waves. The EMG trace is very
narrow, reflecting the amazing bodily paralysis which afflicts the subject for the
duration. REM sleep is associated with dreaming. Occasionally, the eyes shift about in 'REM bursts'. The movements seem to be a mixture of both involuntary and
scanning actions.
Another feature of REM sleep is of penile erections in males - and clitoral erections in
females. All men are conscious of the connection between erections and dreaming
and it may have been that link which led Freud to assume the sexual nature of
dreams. However, it is unwise to assume anything whatsoever in science, and
experiments have shown that if subjects are woken repeatedly from REM sleep, the
erection cycle gets out of phase with the REM cycle. Thus the two phenomena are
linked, but there is not necessarily any cause and effect between them.
Each REM period increases in length during the night, and the amount of SWS
correspondingly decreases, so that the first half of the night consists mostly of SWS
and the second half predominantly REM.
More recent theories about sleep and dreaming have stressed the evolutionary
background and have tried to explain either SWS or REM sleep, but no one idea is
fully accepted. Generally, it has been hypothesised that SWS keeps us still and out of
harm during darkness and that bodily growth and repair can occur at that time.
REM sleep is seen by some, looking at the computer analogy, as a time when
memories are updated and filed, and redundant information discarded - not true!
(see common misconceptions).
A few decades ago, it was thought that to be deprived of REM sleep would result in
mental disturbance - it was an erroneous belief. It is understood now that some
drugs, such as certain anti-depressants, completely abolish REM sleep - and yet there
are no noticeable deleterious effects in users.
The surprising conclusion is that REM sleep does not seem to be necessary in adults.
However, it may be very important to the developing foetus. This is conjectured from
the fact that sleep of a new born baby is about 50% REM. That type of sleep, then,
may be significant in programming or even providing some kind of genetically coded
imagery to the foetus. Not many psychologists believe now that the mind of a new
born baby is a complete tabular rasa or blank state.
A person who is deprived of sleep will, on eventually resting, experience nondreaming SWS in preference to dreaming sleep, (REM), so dreaming is a bit of a

luxury to those short on sleep.

Interestingly, the 90 minute SWS/REM 'ultradian' cycle has been seen to persist into
day-time activities, for instance when observing oral activity.
DREAM DURATION
The greatest myth about dreams is that they are over 'in a flash'. It is surprising how
many people today accept that idea as true. It stems from the Frenchman, Maury,
who reported having had a long and involved dream which culminated in his
execution by guillotine. At the moment the blade fell, he was woken by part of the
bed collapsing on his neck. He reasoned that the whole dream construction must
have occurred in that moment.
It sounds a plausible notion, but we know that expectation certainly affects dreams
and it may have been that his bed often collapsed and perhaps gave warning creeks.
The facts of that case cannot now be known. As there was no counter evidence that
dreams occurred in 'real time', Maury's theory stayed around and gained considerable
ground.
However, Dr Hearne was the first person to show that dreams do actually take as long
as they appear to do. In his sleep-laboratory, studies of lucid dreams, where subjects
signalled information from within the dream by making coded eye movements, Dr
Hearne found that the estimated passages of time between signals corresponded to
the actual measured durations in the polygraphic chart record.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON DRUGS
There are different effects alcohol can have on sleep. In addition, it is interesting for
the analyst to note that, in small quantities, it acts as a stimulant, but in larger
doses, it has the opposite effect - that of being a depressant. Tobacco is also a
stimulant and smokers tend to fall asleep after a longer period than non-smokers.
Barbiturates used to be prescribed for insomnia. They were very powerful and
suppressed REM sleep. The body then adapted by tolerance so that the baseline level
of REM sleep recovered. However, if the user stopped taking the drug, a massive
'REM rebound' effect would occur, for several weeks, during which vivid nightmares
might result.
DREAM FORGETTING AND RECALL
The reason for rapid evaporation of dream memories is probably to prevent confusing
dreams with reality. The memories do not seem to be actually erased - because
something the following day can trigger the recall of an entire dream. It is more a
case of them being filed away somewhere marked 'Not normally to be accessed'. Of
course, those seeking self-insight and self development from their own dreams have
to overcome that obstacle.
Recall is best immediately after the dream. The brain is very active in REM and the

thought-processes can function on waking. However, waking from SWS can be quite
different - especially from stage four sleep. Often the individual woken from that
condition is disoriented, and 'sleep-drunk'.
DO WE DREAM IN COLOUR?
Finally, let us briefly consider the big differences between individuals as regards
colour in dreams. In general surveys on dreams, colour is usually referred to in about
a third of cases. If, however, subjects in the sleep lab are asked to report any colours
in dreams on being woken from REM sleep, nearly three-quarters can recall colours.
The content of the dream seems to be remembered in preference to any colour
factors.
Authors Details: David F. Melbourne Web Site
David F. Melbourne, who lives on a remote Scottish island, has been studying dreams for 25
years and is known all over the world for his accurate dream interpretations. Apart from the
general public, he has analysed dreams for celebrities and famous authors, all of whom have
admitted a high degree of accuracy.
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