Rem Sleep Detection: Understanding The Brain's Activity

REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, is one of four stages of sleep. It is characterised by relaxed muscles, quick eye movement, irregular breathing, elevated heart rate, and increased brain activity. To determine how much REM sleep one is getting, one must measure their brainwaves, which can be done with an electroencephalogram (EEG). There are also sleep trackers that can be used to measure sleep quantity and quality.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing

The EEG test typically involves recording about 100 pages or computer screens of brain activity. While the basic waveform is the main focus, healthcare providers also analyse brief bursts of energy and responses to stimuli, such as flashing lights. In some cases, evoked potential studies are also conducted to measure the brain's electrical activity in response to visual, auditory, or tactile stimulation.

EEG tests are used to evaluate various brain disorders, including epilepsy, brain lesions, Alzheimer's disease, psychoses, and sleep disorders like narcolepsy. They can also be used to determine overall brain activity, assess trauma or drug intoxication, and evaluate the extent of brain damage in comatose patients. Additionally, EEG tests can be employed to monitor blood flow during surgery.

The procedure is generally safe and does not cause any discomfort. There is no risk of electric shock, and seizures are rare but can occur in individuals with seizure disorders due to flashing lights or deep breathing during the test. To prepare for an EEG, patients are usually instructed to wash their hair without using conditioner or styling products and refrain from consuming caffeine for a specified period before the test.

EEG tests can be conducted on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay, depending on the patient's condition. The test typically involves attaching electrodes to the scalp and instructing the patient to close their eyes, relax, and remain still. The recording may be paused to allow the patient to rest or adjust their position. To evoke brain wave activity that may not be present at rest, the patient may be exposed to stimuli such as deep breathing exercises or flashing lights.

Sleep trackers

If you are concerned about the quality of your sleep, it is recommended to consult a health practitioner. Sleep trackers may be most suitable for generally healthy people who are curious about their sleep patterns and want to optimize their sleep habits. On the other hand, individuals with poor sleep or mental health conditions may want to avoid sleep trackers, as they can cause anxiety and worsen mental health issues.

• Oura Ring 4: A lightweight, stylish ring that monitors sleep and daily activity. It measures heart rate, temperature trends, and blood oxygen levels and provides three scores: Sleep Score, Activity Score, and Readiness Score. However, accessing all features requires a monthly membership.
• WHOOP 4.0: A wristband or garment-attached sensor that monitors sleep and serves as a fitness tracker. It tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. It also has a smart alarm to wake you up gently during the ideal sleep stage. WHOOP is subscription-based, requiring monthly charges.
• Rise Science Sleep Tracker: An app that can be used independently or with wearable devices. It connects with health apps to track sleep debt and circadian rhythm and provides tailored strategies for improving sleep. After a trial period, a monthly subscription is required.
• Sleepon Go2Sleep 3 Tracker: A ring that monitors blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages. It provides alerts for blood oxygen dips and also tracks blood glucose levels. The ring needs recharging every other day and may take time to get used to.
• Bía Smart Sleep Mask: A sleep mask that blocks out light and uses brain-monitoring technology to track sleep stages. It also offers a simulated sunrise wake-up function and plays relaxing music to aid sleep. The mask is expensive and may not suit those who feel uncomfortable wearing something on their face.
• Muse S Headband Sleep Tracker + App: A headband that measures brain activity, movement, heart rate, and breathing. It pairs with the Muse app, which offers instructional meditation programs and guided meditations. Some may find the headband uncomfortable, and an annual subscription is needed for the full experience.
• Withings Sleep: A non-wearable sensor that slides under the mattress to monitor heart rate, movement, breathing, and snoring. It can sync with smart home devices to adjust light levels and temperature based on sleep patterns. However, it is not compatible with mattresses thicker than 15 inches.

Brain activity

The brain activity during REM sleep is characterised by several physiological changes, including muscle relaxation, rapid eye movement, faster respiration, increased heart rate, and increased oxygen use by the brain. The brain also experiences increased blood pressure, and the suspension of homeostasis.

The brain waves during REM sleep are distinguishable from those during non-REM sleep, which has three distinct stages characterised by gradually slowed brain waves. The different brain wave patterns and eye movements are what differentiate the two types of sleep.

The brain activity during REM sleep is also believed to play an important role in emotional processing and memory consolidation. Dreaming, which is more vivid during REM sleep, may be a part of the emotional processing function of this stage of sleep. Memory consolidation is also believed to occur during REM sleep, with the brain processing new learnings and motor skills from the day, committing some to memory, and deciding which ones to delete.

The only way to measure REM sleep is to measure brainwaves using an electroencephalogram (EEG). A headband is placed on the forehead to pick up the signals being sent throughout the brain.

Heart rate and respiration

During REM sleep, your heart rate speeds up and your breathing becomes irregular. In contrast to other sleep stages, where your brain waves slow down, your brain is highly active during REM sleep, and your brain waves become more variable.

REM sleep is the fourth of four sleep stages and is characterised by relaxed muscles, quick eye movement, irregular breathing, elevated heart rate, and increased brain activity. It is also known as active sleep, desynchronized sleep, paradoxical sleep, rhombencephalic sleep, and dream sleep.

REM sleep is important for several reasons, including its role in dreaming, memory, emotional processing, and healthy brain development. A majority of dreams occur during REM sleep, and it is also when the brain processes emotions and consolidates memories.

The only way to determine how much REM sleep one is getting is to measure their brain waves. This can be done with an electroencephalogram (EEG), which involves placing a headband on the forehead to pick up signals being sent throughout the brain.

While sleeping, it is normal for one's heart rate to increase during REM sleep. However, if one's heart rate does not decline during sleep or increases beyond their normal daytime heart rate, it could indicate a medical or psychological condition such as anxiety or atrial fibrillation.

Breathing rates should also decline during sleep. If they do not, it could indicate a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, which is characterised by constant, intermittent inability to breathe.

Overall, understanding heart rate and respiration during REM sleep provides valuable insights into the complex nature of sleep and its impact on overall health and well-being.

Sleep disorders

RBD is a parasomnia, a sleep disorder that involves unusual and undesirable physical events or experiences that disrupt sleep. People with RBD act out their dreams physically and/or vocally during the REM stage of sleep, and are unaware of their actions. This can cause injury to themselves or their bed partner, especially if they are acting out a violent nightmare. The first cycle of REM sleep occurs about 60 to 90 minutes after falling asleep, and the first REM cycle typically lasts about 10 minutes. Each cycle that follows gets longer, and people spend more time in REM sleep in the second half of the night.

RBD can be spontaneous (isolated or idiopathic) or caused by an underlying condition (symptomatic or secondary). Isolated RBD often leads to the development of a neurodegenerative condition, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, or multiple system atrophy (MSA). Symptomatic RBD can be caused by Type 1 narcolepsy or the use of certain antidepressants (drug-induced RBD).

To diagnose RBD, a doctor will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and medical history, and may also ask their bed partner or housemates about their sleeping behaviour. A physical exam and neurological exam will also be performed, and the patient may be referred to a sleep specialist. To receive a diagnosis of RBD, an in-lab video sleep study, or polysomnogram (PSG), is required. PSG records specific body functions during sleep, such as breathing rate, brain wave activity, and muscle movements.

The main goal of RBD treatment is to create a safe sleeping environment. This can involve safety measures such as removing sharp objects from the bedroom and placing pillows around the bed. If symptoms are severe, medication may be prescribed, such as melatonin, clonazepam, or pramipexole.

Frequently asked questions