Differences in the Types of Dreams That Occur at Different Times - Essay Example

Differences in the Types of Dreams That Occur At Different Times and How Sleep Changes During the of One NightQuestion 1 Sleep quality alters while shifting from one sleep phase into another (Harris 5 and Jung 9). Even though, the signals for shift between the five (or six) phases of sleep are odd, it is vital to bear in mind that they are, in reality, unconnectedly independent of each other, each marked by its own subtle change in body function and every part of a conventional cycle whose intervals are clear (Harris 5 and Jung 9). Phase 1 Stage 1 sleep, also known as drowsiness, is normally described as first in the series, particularly in models where waking is not incorporated (Harris 23). Polysomnography reveals a 50% drop in activity between alertness and phase 1 sleep. The eyes are shut during phase 1 sleep, but if woken up from it, then an individual might feel as if they have not slept yet. Stage 1 might last between 5 to 10 minutes (Harris 23). Phase 2 Stage 2 is a time of light sleep where polysomnographic readings portray irregular peaks and valleys, or negative and positive waves (Harris 24). These waves show spontaneous phases of muscle tone joined with phases of muscle relaxation. Muscle tone of this type can be witnessed in other phases of sleep as a response to audio stimuli (Jung 53). The heart deep slows, plus body temperature goes up. At this stage, the body gets ready to go into a deep sleep. Phase 3 and 4 These stages are deep sleep phases, with Stage 3 being less intense compared to Stage 4. These stages are referred to as delta or slow-wave sleep (Harris 24). In slow-wave sleep, particularly during Phase 4, the electromyogram records sluggish waves of high amplitude, showing a pattern of rhythmic continuity and deep sleep (Harris 24 and Jung 54). Non-REM Sleep The time of non-REM sleep, abbreviated as NREM, comprises of phases 1 to 4 and lasts between 90 minutes to two hours, each phases lasting roughly five to 15 minutes (Harris 25). However, surprisingly enough, phase 2 and phase 3 reiterate backwards prior to attaining REM sleep. Thus, a normal sleep sequence has this pattern: waking, stage 1 to 4, and then back to 2 via 3, REM. In essence, REM sleep takes place just 90 minutes following sleep onset (Harris 25). Phase 5 Sleep – REM Sleep REM sleep is discernible from NREM sleep through transformations in physiological states, including its distinguishing fast eye movements (Harris 25). Nevertheless, polysomnograms reveal wave patterns in REM similar as the ones in phase 1 sleep (Jung 57). During normal sleep (in individuals missing disorders of wake-sleep patterns or REM behaviour disorder), respiration and heart rate accelerate and become irregular, whereas the legs, fingers, and face might twitch. Severe dreaming takes place in REM sleep due to heightened cerebral actions, but paralysis takes place concurrently in the major controlled muscle groups counting the submental muscles (neck and chin muscles) (Jung 57). Since REM is a mixture of brain (encephalic) states of muscular immobility and excitement, it is, at times, referred to as paradoxical sleep. It is mainly considered that REM-associated muscle paralysis is used to prevent the body from performing the dreams, which take place during this strongly cerebral stage (Harris 26). The initial phase of REM normally lasts up to 10 minutes, with every recurring REM phase lengthening, and the final one lasting for almost an hour (Jung 57). Question 2 There are numerous types of different types of dreams comprising of daydreams, lucid dreams, nightmares, recurring dreams and prophetic dreams among others (Harris 44). Dreams primarily occur in the REM (rapid-eye movement) phase of sleep—when brain action is high and is similar that of a person who is awake. Rapid-eye movement sleep is revealed by constant movements of the eyes when one is asleep (Jung 98). However, sometimes dreams might arise at other phases of sleep, and these dreams are different from the normal dreams (Harris 44). This is because they tend to be much less memorable or vivid. Dreams can last for only a few seconds to as long as 20-25 minutes. People are more expected to recall their dream if they are woken up in the REM phase (Jung 98). The normal person can have from three to five dreams on a single night, but others may have even up to seven in a single night. The dreams also tend to last much longer as the night develop (Harris 46). In a full night sleep (eight hours), a majority of dreams happen in the characteristic two hours of REM, however, at times, they can skip this phase an occur during other faces (Jung 98). These dreams are somewhat different from the normal dream, and that is why, in this modern age, dreams have been regarded as a link to the unconscious mind (Harris 46). They vary from ordinary and normal to bizarre and overly surreal. Dreams that occur at different faces of the night can have changeable natures like exciting, frightening, magical, adventurous, melancholic or even sexual. This is why events in a dream are mainly outside the power of the dreamer, with the exemption of lucid dreaming, where the dreamer is self-conscious (Jung 99). Dreams can sometimes make a creative idea happen to the individual or offer a feeling of inspiration (Harris 47). Normal dreams offer the dreamer vital messages from the unconscious mind. They are rooted in the dreamer’s experiences and thoughts from the earlier day, and, at times, past memories (Harris 448). The unaware mind releases reserved fears, desires and anxieties through theoretical imagery - the oblique language of the unconscious mind. These typical kinds of dreams are the entry to lucid dreams, as well. Anyone can become impulsively lucid from in a normal dream (Jung 99). All it requires is to willfully recognise that the individual is in a dream. This wakes up the alert brain, as well as the sensory system in order for the lucid dream to feel, look, smell, sound and even taste like anything the dreamer has, in reality, experienced. Even bizarre experiences such as shapes changing into atoms feel surprisingly real or, at least, what the dreamer expects that sensation will feel like (Harris 48). Nevertheless, if the dreamer forgets that they are dreaming, then their lucid dream will regress to a normal dream once more, and they will lose their conscious control of awareness in it. Works Cited Harris, William V. Dreams and Еxperience in Classical Antiquity. Cambridge, London: Harvard University Press, 2009. Print. Jung, Carl. Dreams. New York: Routledge, 2002. Print. Read More