SLEEP

sleep

Sleep is the regular state of natural rest observed in all mammals, birds and fish. Sleep is not actually “unconsciousness,” but rather, it is a natural state of rest characterized by a reduction in voluntary body movement and decreased awareness of the surroundings.
S- Silence & sweet feeling,
L- Life & longevity,
E- Eternal & energy,
E- Enjoy,
P- Peace

SLEEP  PHYSIOLOGY

Methodology:
Before Advances in the Fields of Neurology, Neuroscience, Electronics and Genetics Were Made, Scientists Studied the Behavioral Characteristics of Sleep, Such As Its Pattern, Depth, and Varying Frequency. In More Recent Times, the Electrical Impulses Generated by the Brain Are Recorded Using a Device Called an Electroencephalograph (EEG).

Sleep regulation:

• The cycle of sleep and wakefulness is regulated by the brain stem, external stimuli, and various hormones produced by the hypothalamus.

• Some neurohormones and neurotransmitters are highly correlated with sleep and wake states.

• For example, melatonin levels are highest during the night, and this hormone appears to promote sleep Adenosine, a nucleoside involved in generating energy for biochemical processes, gradually accumulates in the human brain during wakefulness but decreases during sleep.

• The stimulant properties of caffeine are attributed to its negating the effects of adenosine

STAGES OF SLEEP

• Non REM sleep (NREM), which accounts for 75-80% of total sleep time:

• Studies of human sleep have established five well-defined stages,according to EEG recordings

Stage 1:

• It starts with near-disappearance of the alpha waves seen in awake states, and appearance for the first time of theta waves.

• The stage is sometimes referred to as somnolence, or “drowsy sleep.

• In this period, the subject loses some muscle tone, and conscious awareness of the external environment.It is a gateway state between wake and sleep.

Stage 2:

• It consist of “sleep spindles” (12–16 Hz) and “K-complexes”. The EMG lowers, and conscious awareness of the external environment all but disappears.

• This occupies 45-55% of total sleep

Stage 3:
Transition b/w stage2 & stage4, delta waves begin to occur.
Stage 4:
Slow-wav sleep-the “deepest”stage of sleep.Dreaming is more common in this stage than in other stages of NREM sleep though not as common as in REM sleep.

Stage 5:

• Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, associated with dreaming, especially bizarre, visual, & seemingly random dreams. REM sleep timing linked to circadian rhythm and body temperature.

• EEG in this period is aroused and looks similar to stage1,& sometimes includes beta waves.
• Sleep proceeds in cycles of NREM and REM phases. In humans, the cycle of REM and NREM is approximately 90 minutes.
• Each stage may have a distinct physiological function. Drugs such as alcohol and sleeping pills can suppress certain stages of sleep.
• This can result in a sleep that exhibits loss of consciousness but does not fulfill its physiological functions.

SLEEP DISORDERS

Dyssomnias :

• Insomnia

• Hypersomnia

• Disorders of Sleep-wake schedule

Parasomnia :

• sleep-walking (Somnambulism)

• Sleep terrors

• Bed wetting

• Tooth-grinding

• Sleep talking

DREAMS

Dreams are the images, thoughts and feelings experienced while asleep, particularly strongly associated with rapid eye movement sleep.

TYPES OF DREAM

DAY DREAMS:

• Studies show that we all have the tendency to daydream an average of 70-120 minutes a day.

• Day dreaming is classified as a level of consciousness between sleep and wakefulness. It occurs during our waking hours when we let our imagination carry us away. As our minds begin to wander and our level of awareness decreases, we lose ourselves in our imagined scenario and fantasy.

LUCID DREAMS:

• Lucid dreams occurs when you realize you are dreaming. “Wait a second. This is only a dream!”

• Most dreamers wake themselves up once they realize that they are only dreaming. Other dreamers have cultivated the skill to remain in the lucid state of dreaming. They become an active participant in their own dreams, making decisions in their dreams and influencing the dream’s outcome without awakening.

Types of Lucid Dreams

1) Wake initiated lucid dream(WILD):
The person goes from wakeful stage to dream stage without lack of consciousness.

2) Sleep initiated lucid dream(SILD):
The patient while dreaming realizes that he is dreaming.

TELEAPTHIC DREAMS

• It is a type of  dream in which no barrier between dead and live is not present.

• Communication takes place in dreams , between live person and dead person.

NIGHTMARES

• A nightmare is a disturbing dream that causes the dreamer to wake up feeling anxious and frightened. Nightmares may be a response to real life trauma and situations.

• Nightmares may also occur because we have ignored or refused to accept a particular life situation.

• Nightmares are an indication of a fear that needs to be acknowledged and confronted.

RECURRING DREAMS

• Recurring dreams repeat themselves with little variation in story or theme.

• These dreams may be positive, but most often they are nightmarish in content.

• Dreams may recur because a conflict depicted in the dream remains unresolved or  ignored.

• Once you have found a resolution to the problem, your recurring dreams will cease.

HEALING DREAMS

• Healing dreams serve as messages for the dreamer in regards to their health.

• Many dream experts believe that dreams can help us avoid potential health problems and help us to heal when we are ill.

• Our bodies are able to communicate to us through our dreams to “tell” us that something is not quite right with our bodies even before any physical symptoms show up.

PROPHETIC DREAMS

• Prophetic dreams, also referred to as precognitive or psychic dreams, are dreams that seemingly foretell the future.

• Our unconscious mind knows what is coming before we consciously piece together the same information.

COMMON DREAMS

• Naked Dreams
  

  dream

• Chase Dreams

• Teeth Dreams

• Flying Dreams

• Falling Dreams

• Test Dreams

DREAM FACTS

• 1.One third of our lives is spent sleeping.

• 2.Blind people do dream.

• 3. Everybody dreams. EVERYBODY! Simply because you do not remember your dream does not mean that you do not dream.

• 4. The word dream stems from the Middle English word, dreme which means “joy” and “music”.