The study of sleep was conducted scientifically when electroencephalograph (EEG) was invented. The scientific study was started by Eugene Aserinsky a graduate student in 1950. His research is now known as the REM sleep. Further studies on human sleep have demonstrated that sleep goes through a series of stages in which different brain wave patterns are displayed. The electroencephalograph will display a picture of electrical activity in the brain. The different brain waves are categorized into Gamma, High Beta, Mid Beta, Beta Sensory Motor Rhythm, Alpha, and Theta brain waves. Each and every night, our brain passes through five stages of sleep. The brain requires approximately 90-110 minutes completing the 5 stages.
Stage 1
Stage 1 is
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The brainwave shows brief bursts of higher brainwave activity called sleep spindles in the lower BETA range at 12-16 Hz. We spend around half of all our sleep in Stage 2; a light dreamless sleep.
Stage 3
Stage 3 is a transitional period between light sleep and a very deep sleep. Slow brain waves known as delta waves begin to emerge in this stage. Brainwaves have descended to the DELTA range of 0.5-4 Hz, the slowest frequency. This is another dreamless stage of sleep, however it is also the most likely time for sleepwalking to occur. This is a stage where we experience deep sleep and anyone who is waken from the sleep will feel dopey and confused for a few minutes.
Stage 4
Stage 4 is a deepest sleep that lasts for approximately 30 minutes. In this stage, our physical and mental energy is both replenished. This stage of sleep will promote a refreshing morning when we wake up.
Stage 5
Stage 5 is also known as the REM (rapid eye movement) Sleep. This stage is the onset of dreaming. After submerging through the deeper stages of sleep, brainwave activity returns to the THETA range (4-8 Hz) through BETA (12-38 Hz) and Rapid Eye Movement denotes dreaming. REM sleep is characterized by eye movement, increased respiration rate and increased brain activity. REM sleep is also referred to as paradoxical sleep because while the brain and other body systems become more active, muscles becomes more