Thread: REM rebound?

From what I understand REM rebound happens when you haven't been getting enough sleep for a while and then you sleep extra long. When you sleep those extra hours the REM sleep stage starts up pretty quick (if I'm understanding right) and each REM stage lasts longer than usual. This creates the chance for some really long, cool REM stage dreams.

Originally Posted by seeker28

From what I understand REM rebound happens when you haven't been getting enough sleep for a while and then you sleep extra long. When you sleep those extra hours the REM sleep stage starts up pretty quick (if I'm understanding right) and each REM stage lasts longer than usual. This creates the chance for some really long, cool REM stage dreams.

I think you are mistaken.

REM rebound happens when REM is suppressed for however many hours, then the drug that suppressed REM wears off, creating REM rebound which gives you extra long periods of REM in the morning hours of sleep.

For instance,

You take 3mg Melatonin before going to bed. REM is suppressed for 5~ hours, the melatonin wears off, and you get extra long REM periods for the rest of the time that you are asleep.

I hope this answered your question.

both Seeker and Moe are correct. those are two different forms of REM rebound. REM rebound simply means the REM period gets suppressed, then your body makes up for the lost REM sleep.