Dreams

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how scientists have developed both four-stage and five-stage ways to categorize the stages of sleep and how dreaming can occur in virtually all of these periods. With the body in a relaxed state physically as well as mentally, these two states are viewed as transitional states preceding the other stages in which more physical and mental work is accomplished by the brain. It also discusses how the content of dreams appears to come from the events and feelings that occur during normal waking life.

From the Paper:

"In some respects, REM sleep is much like being awake. During REM sleep, the brain creates beta waves of a high frequency, the same type that occur while one is awake. There are frequent burst of rapid eye movement, as well as occasional twitches in various muscle groups. The heart may beat faster and the breathing may be shallow; most vivid dreaming occurs during this stage. (Dreamviews Web site) Despite all that, during REM sleep, the sleeper is temporarily paralyzed, according to new research. Included in the paralysis are the sleeper's respiratory muscles, except the diaphragm, which continues to pull air in and push it out. Some researchers have suggested that the paralysis is a clever device that allows the mind to explore its subconscious without acting out the events it is processing."

More papers on Dreams:

• Persuasive Essay # 141235 : "Philosophy of Dreams"
• Analytical Essay # 142838 : "Jung, the Psyche, and Dreams"
• Book Review # 69011 : "Dreams" "
• Essay # 32131 : "The Importance of Dreams"

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