Week 5 Assigned Reading (Broken Dreams)

Question 1

What is atonia and what is its purported function during REM sleep?

Answer 1

• Atonia is the paralysis of most muscles during REM sleep
• Prevents acting out dreams physically
• Occurs alongside rapid eye movements
• Part of the natural sleep cycle
• Protective mechanism for the sleeper

‘After slow-wave sleep, the brainwaves change pattern again, the eyes start roiling under their lids and most of the muscles in the body become paralysed to stop us acting out our dreams.’

Question 2

______ is the paralysis of most muscles during REM sleep

Answer 2

Atonia is the paralysis of most muscles during REM sleep

Question 3

Does dreaming only occur in REM sleep? Briefly explain.

Answer 3

• Dreams occur in both REM and non-REM sleep
• REM dreams are more vivid, emotional, and bizarre
• Non-REM dreams tend to be simpler and less memorable
• REM dreams are easier to recall upon waking
• Dream content differs between REM and non-REM stages

‘We do dream in other stages of sleep, but these dreams tend to be unemotional, concerned with simple things and hard to remember. In short, they are boring. REM sleep is where classic dreams occur, those with bizarre juxtapositions, physically impossible feats, and emotional and puzzling events.’

Question 4

How does lifestyle affect REM sleep? Discuss at least two lifestyle choices that reduce the amount of REM sleep per sleep period, and at least one lifestyle choice known to increase the amount of REM sleep per sleep period.

Answer 4

• Alcohol reduces REM sleep and promotes deep sleep
• Marijuana suppresses REM sleep
• Early awakening by alarm clocks can cut off REM periods
• Sleeping more and waking naturally increases REM sleep
• Good sleep hygiene promotes better overall sleep, including REM

‘If you go to bed drunk, or even slightly tipsy, your sleep profile will skew to deep sleep. Even a single drink will delay the first period of REM.’
‘The simplest way to get more REM is to sleep more and wake up naturally.’

Question 5

REM sleep is described in the article as “overnight therapy”, and the dreaming brain as a “second gut”. Explain these statements. Using a highly emotional memory that could become traumatic as an example, what would REM be expected to do to this memory? In what clinical conditions might this “REM therapy” not work, and why? What did Rosalind Cartwright find that backed up these ideas?

Answer 5

• Processes and “digests” emotional experiences
• Strengthens emotional recollections while weakening emotional intensity
• May not work effectively in depression and PTSD
• Helps process difficult emotions (e.g., post-divorce)
• Allows remembering without reliving intense emotions

‘Naiman calls the dreaming brain a second gut. ‘It processes undigested material from the day,’ he says. ‘If you sleep well and dream, you heal more quickly from emotional hardship.’’

Question 6

As covered in the article, what cognitive domains does REM sleep seem important for developing/maintaining? Back this up with evidence from Sylvain Williams and Sarah Mednick.

Answer 6

• Learning and memory consolidation
• Creativity and associative thinking
• Emotional processing and regulation
• Problem-solving abilities
• Adaptation to complex and novel situations

‘Sara Mednick at the University of California, Irvine, measured people’s creativity after allowing them to either rest quietly, to have a nap of non-REM sleep or to have a nap. The volunteers were then asked to find a word that links three others. […] Those who had had REM sleep during their nap showed improved creative ability, compared with those who had none.’

Question 7

What are the effects of alcohol on sleep?

Answer 7

Alcohol: Suppresses REM, promotes deep sleep, causes disruptions

Question 8

What are the effects of marijuana on sleep?

Answer 8

• Suppresses REM
• Promotes deep sleep (SWS)
• Causes rebound effect

Question 9

What are the effects of Zolpidem on sleep?

Answer 9

Zolpidem (Ambien): Reduces REM sleep

Question 10

What are the effects of antidepressants on sleep?

Answer 10

Antidepressants: Often reduce REM sleep

Question 11

During REM sleep, most muscles in the body become ________ to prevent acting out dreams.

Answer 11

During REM sleep, most muscles in the body become paralysed to prevent acting out dreams.

Question 12

While REM sleep is associated with vivid dreams, ________ sleep also contains dreams, though they tend to be less memorable.

Answer 12

While REM sleep is associated with vivid dreams, non-REM sleep also contains dreams, though they tend to be less memorable.

Question 13

Consuming ________ before bed can delay the first period of REM sleep.

Answer 13

Consuming alcohol before bed can delay the first period of REM sleep.

Question 14

Using alarm clocks to wake up early can cut off the last and often longest ____ period of the night.

Answer 14

Using alarm clocks to wake up early can cut off the last and often longest REM period of the night.

Question 15

REM sleep is described as “________” in the article, suggesting its role in processing daily experiences.

Answer 15

REM sleep is described as “overnight therapy” in the article, suggesting its role in processing daily experiences.

Question 16

The dreaming brain is compared to a “second ________” in its ability to process undigested material from the day.

Answer 16

The dreaming brain is compared to a “second gut” in its ability to process undigested material from the day.

Question 17

In conditions like ________, the “overnight therapy” effect of REM sleep might not work effectively.

Answer 17

In conditions like PTSD (or post-traumatic stress disorder), the “overnight therapy” effect of REM sleep might not work effectively.

Question 18

Research by Rosalind Cartwright found that women who had more ________ dreams about ex-spouses after divorce were more likely to recover from depression

Answer 18

Research by Rosalind Cartwright found that women who had more negative dreams about ex-spouses after divorce were more likely to recover from depression.

Question 19

Sylvain Williams’ research showed that disrupting REM sleep in mice affected their ability to ________ memories.

Answer 19

consolidate

Question 20

Sara Mednick’s study demonstrated that REM sleep improved ________ ability in participants.

Answer 20

Sara Mednick’s study demonstrated that REM sleep improved creative ability in participants.

Question 21

The sedative ________ is known to reduce REM sleep.

Answer 21

The sedative Zolpidem (or Ambien) is known to reduce REM sleep.

Question 22

Many ________ tend to promote deep sleep at the expense of REM sleep.

Answer 22

Many antidepressants tend to promote deep sleep at the expense of REM sleep.

Question 23

________ use suppresses REM sleep but can cause a dream “rebound” effect when discontinued.

Answer 23

Marijuana use suppresses REM sleep but can cause a dream “rebound” effect when discontinued.

Question 24

Good sleep ________ is considered the best way to promote overall sleep quality, including REM sleep.

Answer 24

hygiene

Question 25

REM sleep is thought to strengthen emotional ________ while weakening the emotional ________ of memories.

Answer 25

REM sleep is thought to strengthen emotional recollections while weakening the emotional tone of memories.