paradoxical sleep
Definition
Noun: A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and vivid dreaming, while the body's major voluntary muscles are paralyzed. It is called "paradoxical" because the brain is highly active, similar to being awake, yet the sleeper is in a deep state of sleep and muscle atonia.
Usage
This term is used in sleep science and psychology to describe a specific, measurable phase of the sleep cycle. * Paradoxical sleep is essential for memory consolidation and emotional regulation. * The study focused on the brain waves observed during paradoxical sleep. * People awakened from paradoxical sleep often report vivid dreams.
Advanced Usage
- In research contexts: The term is often used interchangeably with REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement sleep), though "paradoxical sleep" emphasizes the physiological paradox of a waking brain in a sleeping body.
- The experiment measured the duration of paradoxical sleep in the participants.
Variants and Related Words
- REM sleep (noun): The more common synonym for paradoxical sleep, named for the rapid eye movements that characterize this stage.
- Non-REM sleep (noun): The collective term for the other stages of sleep that are not paradoxical/REM sleep.
- Sleep cycle (noun): The recurring pattern of sleep stages, including both non-REM and paradoxical sleep.
Synonyms
- REM sleep
- Rapid Eye Movement sleep
- Desynchronized sleep (a technical term referring to the brain wave patterns).
Antonyms / Contrasting Terms
- Non-REM sleep (specifically NREM sleep)
- Slow-wave sleep (a deep stage of non-REM sleep).
Related Phrases / Collocations
- To enter paradoxical sleep: To begin the REM phase of the sleep cycle.
- A person will typically enter paradoxical sleep about 90 minutes after falling asleep.
- Paradoxical sleep deprivation: The condition of being selectively deprived of REM sleep.
- The effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation can include irritability and difficulty concentrating.
Noun
-
a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
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