Final answer:
REM rebound is the phenomenon where there is a significant increase in REM sleep following a period of deprivation, essential for emotional regulation and stress response. Sleep deprivation has extensive negative consequences on health, equivalent to the effects of alcohol intoxication. Measures for better sleep hygiene include avoiding stimulants before bedtime and maintaining a sleep-conducive environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
REM rebound refers to the increase in length and intensity of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that follows a period of sleep deprivation or restriction. When people are allowed to sleep without disturbance after being deprived of REM sleep, they exhibit a compensatory increase in REM sleep duration, suggesting that this phase is homeostatically regulated. This rebound is not just about recovering lost sleep; REM sleep is crucial for emotional processing, learning, and memory. Therefore, the REM rebound might be an adaptive response to stress, helping to mitigate the emotional impact of aversive events experienced during wakefulness.
Sleep deprivation can have serious, even detrimental effects on overall health. It is linked to depression-like symptoms, obesity, high blood pressure, heightened stress hormones, and weakened immune response. Notably, a lack of adequate sleep can severely impair cognitive and motor functions, sometimes as dramatically as alcohol intoxication. Experts agree that the risks escalate significantly when an individual is awake for extended periods, notably more than 24 hours, or experiences repeated nights with insufficient rest.
In cases of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), the muscle paralysis that normally occurs during REM sleep does not happen, leading to physical activity during this phase. These activities can disrupt sleep and even pose injury risks. Preventative measures for better sleep include maintaining a cool bedroom temperature, avoiding stimulants and heavy meals before bedtime, and ensuring that bed association is primarily for sleep.