Sleep - Rapid Eye Movement

Also known as:  Paradoxical Sleep;  REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep is a type of Sleep characterized by Rapid Eye Movements.  This type of Sleep comprises about 25% of total Sleep time.

 Psychologically, it has been theorized that the innate purpose of REM Sleep is to enable the individual to rehearse genetically determined functions such as Instincts and Sexual Behavior without having to “act them out”.

 Alternatively, it has been theorized that the purpose of REM Sleep is to solve problems and file the previous day’s events.

Nervous System

 Dreams occur during REM Sleep.

 Long-Term Memory is linked to REM Sleep - it is believed that Dreams (which occur during REM Sleep) are responsible for the transfer of Memories between Short-Term Memory and Long-Term Memory.  Lack of REM Sleep is believed to hinder Long-Term Memory:  ^[1]