REM sleep and deep sleep: what are the differences?

REM sleep and deep sleep play a fundamental role in our physical and psychological well-being. However, it is common to confuse them and even think that they appear in the same dream layer. Nothing is further from reality. They differ in multiple aspects and are so unique in their purposes and characteristics, that it is worth immersing ourselves in their respective universes.

In this way, something that is often pointed out is that, while the former is pure harmony when synchronized with the rest of the brain waves, the REM is irregular and may not even appear if we take alcohol or certain drugs. Thus, while one favors processes such as growth or tissue repair, the other opens the door to the world of dreams.

Since almost a third of our lives sleeping, It is more than necessary to know what our brain does during that time. It doesn’t matter that we don’t have control over every process that happens during those hours. Understanding it and, above all, promoting a restful rest is decisive for feeling good, being productive, learning, remembering, etc.

Even if you spend ten hours in bed, if you don’t manage to spend 13% of that time in deep sleep, you will feel exhausted when you wake up.

Differences between REM sleep and deep sleep

Our rest is divided into two stages: NON-REM sleep, where we spend 75% of our time, and REM sleep, which occupies just over 25%. We enter that dream architecture with the first, beginning a small transition phase in which we wander on that fragile line between wakefulness and sleep in which it is very easy to wake up.

Little by little, we navigate towards that second stage, in which our brain waves slow down and our body temperature drops. It is in the third phase when we finally approach the threshold of deep sleep. It is a period that lasts between 15 and 30 minutes in which our muscles are completely relaxed. Vital signs drop within regularity and it is very difficult to wake us up.

From this moment, and if our rest is sustained, we will begin the most decisive stages of sleep. Let’s know the differences between REM sleep and deep sleep.

Each one appears at a different stage

Deep sleep appears in the third stage, which is also known as “the healing stage.”. It is a key moment of our rest, since it is when our brain carries out tasks of decisive importance. Tissues are repaired, cellular energy is restored by eliminating compounds, the work of many of our hormones begins and learning is established.

REM sleep begins approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep. It is also called paradoxical sleep because the brain appears to be awake, unlike the body, which remains deeply relaxed. Likewise, a core characteristic of this stage is the appearance of dreams.

Brain waves also differ

We pointed out at the beginning, one of the differences between REM sleep and deep sleep is in the brain waves. While in the latter there is absolute synchronization, REM sleep is characterized by brain waves of lower amplitude and high frequency, very similar to those we have when we are awake.

It is in this REM phase when blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rise so much. Furthermore, our eyes move quickly, without the need for us to be dreaming or not…

You can live without REM sleep, but not without deep sleep

How do you usually wake up in the morning? Rested and fit or rather exhausted and without much strength? The quality of your night’s rest depends on whether you have been able to spend at least 13% of your time in deep sleep.. If not, several things can happen, such as the following:

Greater risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Risk of suffering alterations in mental health: stress, anxiety, depression. The hippocampus, that region linked to memory, shows failures. It is difficult for us to establish new information.Not having adequate deep sleep results in fatigue and difficulty maintaining attention. Something that seriously affects our quality of life.

Now, what happens with REM sleep? What happens if we don’t reach this phase? Research tells us that depriving humans of REM sleep for weeks has little effect. Furthermore, it is interesting to know that People who take antidepressants have their REM sleep restricted.

Research work such as those carried out at the Surrey Sleep Research Center, United Kingdom, indicates that this fact is tolerated quite well. That is to say, While a lack of deep sleep has highly harmful effects, the same does not happen with REM sleep.

Within the different phases of sleep, deep sleep is the most decisive stage for our health.

REM sleep and deep sleep: how to take care of them?

A sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes and it is normal and healthy to have between four to six cycles per night. Already We know that REM sleep and deep sleep are not the same, but our general well-being depends above all on having the former. Also enjoying an adequate balance between all these stages of sleep architecture.

Therefore… What can we do to ensure that each phase is fulfilled and we have a good deep sleep? These would be some keys:

Maintain firm routines: go to bed and wake up at the same times. Avoid exposure to electronic devices two hours before going to bed. Relax with a hot shower before going to sleep. Avoid carbohydrates at night (sweets, rice, pasta…)Sleep hygiene experts remind us that the ideal temperature for sleeping ranges between 18 and 21º.

To conclude, let us never neglect a good night’s rest. Sleeping well allows us to live better.

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