

186. The psychology of sleep
18 snips Apr 12, 2024
Discover the fascinating psychology behind sleep and its crucial impact on mental health and well-being. Explore concepts like REM sleep, sleep debt, and the surprising effects of blue light. Unpack the notorious Russian Sleep Experiment and learn about revenge bedtime procrastination. Gain insights into sleep hygiene and uncover the negative effects of both sleep deprivation and oversleeping. This engaging discussion offers practical tips for improving your sleep while diving deep into the science of dreaming!
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Sleep Stages
- Sleep is divided into four stages: three non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stages and one rapid eye movement (REM) stage.
- REM sleep is characterized by increased brain activity, similar to wakefulness, and temporary paralysis.
REM Sleep
- REM sleep, occurring about 90 minutes after sleep onset, isn't the most restful type.
- It's linked to intense dreams and emotional processing, memory formation, particularly due to high brain activity.
Energy Conservation Theory
- The energy conservation theory suggests sleep reduces energy expenditure when hunting for food was inefficient.
- The brain, a major energy consumer, "turns off," saving calories during sleep.