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Sleep Cycle
The sleep cycle: A sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes and during that time we move through five stages of sleep. The first four stages make up our non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and the fifth stage is when rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs. NREM sleep: Across these four stages we move from very light sleep during Stage 1 down to very deep sleep in Stage 4. It is very difficult to wake someone who is in Stage 4 sleep. Across NREM sleep, we have little muscle activity and our eyes do not typically move, but all of our muscles retain their ability to function. REM sleep: As the name would imply – during this final stage of sleep, we have bursts of rapid eye movements. This is the stage of sleep in which most dreaming occurs. Our eyes are not constantly moving, but they do dart back and forth, up and down. These eye movements may be related to visual images of dreams, but that is not confirmed, and in general, the reason for these eye movements is still a mystery. Although our eyes are moving rapidly, the muscles that move our bodies are paralyzed (other important muscles, such as our heart and diaphragm continue to function normally).
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A link between inflammation and the circadian rhythm has been determined in mouse models. High-fat-diets may be the caus ...Written By: Nicholas BreehlNOV 03, 2018Cell & Molecular Biology
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The perception of marijuana's safety is prevalent among chronic users. Dr. Samuel Wilkinson and colleagues from ...Written By: Amy LoriauxOCT 11, 2018Neuroscience
Getting enough sleep is a healthy habit for anyone, but in adolescents it's crucial. Brain development is happening ...Written By: Brenda Kelley KimSEP 28, 2018Health & Medicine
Chances are if you see a teenager, their face is practically glued to a screen. The latest industry numbers show that 95 ...Written By: Brenda Kelley Kim
OCT 08, 2019
Immunology
The circadian rhythm governs more than just waking and sleeping. The intricate functions of the digestive system rely on
...
Written By:
Kara Marker
OCT 02, 2019
Cell & Molecular Biology
As we sleep, our bodies cycle through several stages. One is the REM or rapid eye movement stage, during which most drea
...
Written By:
Carmen Leitch
SEP 21, 2019
Neuroscience
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a phase when dreams are created. Traditionally, REM has been thought of as a sleep sta
...
Written By:
Dr. Nina Lichtenberg
SEP 02, 2019
Genetics & Genomics
Typically, people need between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to function properly. In fact, reducing sl
...
Written By:
Annie Lennon
JUN 11, 2019
Health & Medicine
Are you exposed to any artificial light while sleeping? Exposure to artificial light at night could be a risk factor for
...
Written By:
Tiffany Dazet
MAY 15, 2019
Cannabis Sciences
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a third of adults report that they get less than the recommended amount of
...
Written By:
Amy Loriaux
APR 29, 2019
Health & Medicine
Teeth grinding is a serious problem that haunts many of us in our sleep, and while it might seem apparent, it can take a
...
Written By:
Anthony Bouchard
APR 28, 2019
Cell & Molecular Biology
It seems that while what we eat is very important to our health, when we have our meals has an impact on our bodies as w
...
Written By:
Carmen Leitch
MAR 17, 2019
Microbiology
Some astronauts have lived onboard the International Space Station for hundreds of days. Researchers are learning more a
...
Written By:
Carmen Leitch
FEB 24, 2019
Earth & The Environment
Do you suffer from insomnia? Well, you're not alone - one in four Americans develop insomnia every year, and while i
...
Written By:
Kathryn DeMuth Sullivan
FEB 16, 2019
Health & Medicine
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is a disabling condition that affects every aspect of a
...
Written By:
Dena Aruta
FEB 12, 2019
Cardiology
Research has shown that stress is not good for the heart. To combat stress, some people participate in meditation practi
...
Written By:
Abbie Arce
JAN 25, 2019
Cardiology
Reports of concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury, in youth sports are on the rise. These injuries are most preva
...
Written By:
Abbie Arce
JAN 23, 2019
Health & Medicine
Reports of concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury, in youth sports are on the rise. These injuries are most commo
...
Written By:
Abbie Arce
JAN 11, 2019
Cardiology
Research has revealed an association between not getting enough sleep and conditions of the heart such as high blood pre
...
Written By:
Abbie Arce
JAN 09, 2019
Cannabis Sciences
There are many of the uses of medical marijuana. Glaucoma, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety disorders, fi
...
Written By:
Amy Loriaux
JAN 03, 2019
Cardiology
If you are like many people, you may have committed to losing weight when setting your New Year’s resolution. Mayb
...
Written By:
Abbie Arce
NOV 27, 2018
Cell & Molecular Biology
Most of us spend a lot of time looking at some type of screen, whether it's a laptop, a phone, or another device.
Written By:
Carmen Leitch
NOV 21, 2018
Health & Medicine
Thanksgiving is upon us! Time to count your blessings, show gratitude and to celebrate with friends and family. Traditio
...
Written By:
Liat Ben-Senior
NOV 07, 2018
Immunology
A link between inflammation and the circadian rhythm has been determined in mouse models. High-fat-diets may be the caus
...
Written By:
Nicholas Breehl
NOV 03, 2018
Cell & Molecular Biology
Once thought of as supporting structures, researchers are uncovering more roles for astrocytes, a type of cell in the br
...
Written By:
Carmen Leitch
OCT 30, 2018
Cannabis Sciences
The perception of marijuana's safety is prevalent among chronic users. Dr. Samuel Wilkinson and colleagues from
...
Written By:
Amy Loriaux
OCT 11, 2018
Neuroscience
Getting enough sleep is a healthy habit for anyone, but in adolescents it's crucial. Brain development is happening
...
Written By:
Brenda Kelley Kim
SEP 28, 2018
Health & Medicine
Chances are if you see a teenager, their face is practically glued to a screen. The latest industry numbers show that 95
...
Written By:
Brenda Kelley Kim