Divination Class
Lesson Two
Dream Interpretation
In 1953, American physiologist Nathan Kleitman and his student Eugene Aserinsky did studies in a "sleep laboratory" and observed that for short periods the eyes of sleeping infants moved about rapidly, further study found this happened in adults also. On further study, it was discovered with EEG readings (which record the electrical activity of the brain) showed that these periods of movement correspond with brain rhythms. The discovery that linked eye movement and brain waves was a breakthrough in dream research, this period of sleep is called REM (rapid-eye movement).

The study also found 4 stages of sleep. During the first 15 minutes of sleep, the sleeper descends progressively through each stage before spending about an hour in Stage 4 (the deepest level) when the body is most relaxed and brain rhythms at their slowest. After this, a return to Stage 1 is caused by a change in position and this is the point the first REM occurs, this one last about 10 minutes. The process of decent and accent is repeated between 4 to 7 times during the night, and at this point, sleep rarely reaches a stage of deep sleep in Stage 4 again. Each REM period becomes progressively longer and the final REM (just before you wake) can last as long as 40 minutes.

REM sleep is also known as "paradoxical sleep", because during it, brain activity, adrenaline levels, pulse rate and oxygen consumption come closet to those levels of wakefulness, yet muscle tone relaxes and the sleeper would be hard to wake. It is during REM sleep that most dreams take place. It is also during REM that dreams are more vivid than any other stage.
Findings indicate that the eye movements that take place may be synchronized with dream events, this suggests that the brain does not distinguish between the visual imagery of dreams and that of waking life, this is why sometimes we think the dream seemed so real. The same may be true of the brain's respond to other dream sensations, like a spray of water, wind blowing, a voice these may all be incorporated into a dream and rationalized in some way to fit in with it's content. Emotions may also be engaged. Heart rate and breathing often become erratic during REM sleep, gastric acid production may increase, asthmatics are more prone to attacks and there is an increased tendency to cardiac arrest.

However real such sensory experiences appear to the brain, something prevents us from performing in full the actions and emotions that fill our dreams. There is a general loss of muscle tone during REM sleep, and the eye muscles appear to be the only ones that are physically involved in acting out dream events. It has been shown that when dreams are at their most vivid, certain "inhibitors" are produced to prevent muscles from receiving the needed impulses from the brain, ensuring that we do not act on sensory stimuli experienced in the dream. It is this effective paralysis that gives rise to the dream sensations of being unable to run, scream or even walk. The brain somehow prevents us from moving physically when asleep. Which is a good thing!
Quiz:
True or False

1. REM stands for rapid-eye movement.

2. The study found 5 stages of sleep.

3. The discovery that linked eye movement and brain waves was a breakthrough.

4. The final REM (just before you wake) can last as long as 40 minutes.

5. Dreams that occur during REM are the most vivid.

6. Heart rate and breathing often become erratic during REM.

7. The brain does not prevent us from performing action during dreams.

8. Emotions may be engaged during REM.

9. The process of decent and ascent is repeated through the stages 4 to 7 times during the night.

10. It is during REM that most dreams occur.
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