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REM sleep
The vivid-dreaming sleep stage that lengthens toward morning.
Sleep
Definition
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the stage in which most vivid dreaming happens. The brain is highly active and the eyes dart under closed lids, while the body is briefly paralysed so you do not act dreams out. REM is thought to help process memory and emotion. It comes in cycles through the night, with longer REM periods toward morning, which is why the dream you remember is usually the one you woke out of. Alcohol and poor sleep can suppress it.
Related terms
VO2 max
The maximum oxygen your body can use during hard exercise; a fitness benchmark.
Resting heart rate
Beats per minute at rest; a lower rate often signals better fitness.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
The energy your body burns at complete rest just to stay alive.
Source: Standard sleep-science references on sleep stages. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is rEM sleep?
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the stage in which most vivid dreaming happens. The brain is highly active and the eyes dart under closed lids, while the body is briefly paralysed so you do not act dreams out. REM is thought to help process memory and emotion. It comes in cycles through the night, with longer REM periods toward morning, which is why the dream you remember is usually the one you woke out of. Alcohol and poor sleep can suppress it.
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