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Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes.

Because REM is a mixture of encephalic (brain) states of excitement and muscular immobility, it is sometimes called paradoxical sleep. It is generally thought that REM-associated muscle paralysis is meant to keep the body from acting out the dreams that occur during this intensely cerebral stage.

We examined the role of REM on creative problem solving, with the Remote Associates Test (RAT). Using a nap paradigm, we manipulated various conditions of prior exposure to elements of a creative problem.

A study done by Dr Sara Mednick, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego and the VA San Diego Healthcare System, and colleagues, on the positive effects of napping was published online in the 8th June issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The researchers said their findings are important because they show that sleep, and REM sleep in particular, helps the brain to form "associative networks".

Mednick said:

"For creative problems that you've already been working on -- the passage of time is enough to find solutions."

"However," she added, "for new problems, only REM sleep enhances creativity."

The researchers discovered that it looks as if REM sleep stimulates associative networks helping the brain to make new and useful connections between unrelated ideas, the key to creativity.

Denise J Cai, Sarnoff A Mednick, Elizabeth M Harrison, Jennifer C Kanady, and Sara C Mednick

PNAS published online before print June 8, 2009

Labels: rem, sleep

When I began reading this article I immediately thought about all the folks out there who will now become paranoid about the fact that they find themselves nodding off a lot.

Studies like this are helpful to a degree, but there are probably a whole slew of other things that are related to being THAT tired. Don't you think?
And so it is; daytime dozing also appears to raise the chance of having a heart attack or dying of a heart attack or stroke, the researchers say.

So now we have stated dozing off several times through the day can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack as you age. That is a frightening thought. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to explain the warning signs of such issues?

They type of "dozing" mentioned really means how often they fell asleep during specific situations: watching TV, sitting and talking to someone, or stopping in traffic. To me that is not dozing, that is severe sleep apnea. And yes that is concerning and I am sure it could lead to a variety of higher percentages of MANY health risks.

With all that being said I wanted to discuss sleep apnea in more depth. For mild sleep apnea it is possible you will only need to change your diet and lose some weight. If you are a smoker, sleep apnea is one more reason to QUIT! There are also special therapies, like Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for more severe sleep apnea issues.

CPAP brings me to my next point. Restricted airways are often the cause of sleep apnea and I feel they might really be the reason behind an increase risk of stroke or heart attack. To me it makes sense, if you have trouble breathing or stop breathing then not enough oxygen is getting to your brain or your heart. You’re forcing your body to work twice as hard to get blood flowing normally. This might be why losing weight and quitting smoking are two of the most important things you can do if sleep apnea is an issue for you.

Are you following me? I'm not a doctor obviously, but I just wish more of these research studies would break it down for you and get to the real cause of why things may or may not happen.

Labels: heart, sleep, stroke

Scientists are speculating over sleep patterns of whales; Sperm whales to be exact. Apparently, they believe these whale's brains sleep one half at a time. The two sides alternate until both are rested.

"The researchers, whose study was recently published in Current Biology, noticed the whales performed the mesmerizing drift dives 7.1 percent of the time, usually between 6 p.m. and midnight."

There has been more and more studies involving the sleep patterns of whales, because often times they do not flee when a boat is coming there way. Why would they not move? Because they are asleep? The reason whales sleep near the surface of the water is so they don't have far to go to breathe.

Of course this study is now causing people to question how much sleep you really need for development and such. I don't think they should do that, your body needs sleep. Period. You need sleep for a healthy immune system and to allow your body time to relax and unwind. I should know, I get very little sleep.

Most people say you should sleep about eight hours a night, but there really isn't a magic number to sleep. You know whether you have gotten or not, you can feel it. When you haven't gotten enough you won't be able to fully concentrate and you will run out of steam early on in the day.

Did you know sleep deprivation can cause you to be more hungry throughout the day? It makes sense doesn't it? Food gives you energy. Chew on that one folks.

SOURCE

Labels: sleep, whale