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- Normal sleep involves a series of stages.
- Stage 1 sleep is characterized by relatively rapid, low-amplitude brain waves.
- Stage 2 sleep is characterized by a slower, more regular wave pattern which is momentarily interrupted by sharply pointed, spiky brain waves.
- In stage 3 sleep, the brain waves become slower, with higher peaks and lower valleys in the wave pattern.
- In stage 4 sleep, the pattern is even slower and more regular, and people are least responsive to outside stimulation.
- In REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, people's eyes move beneath their closed eyelids.
- While all this activity is occurring, the major muscles of the body appear to be paralyzed.
- Dreams are most likely in the REM period.
- REM sleep plays a critical role in everyday human functioning.
REM-deprived sleepers spend significantly more time in REM sleep than they normally would.
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