Our Bodies at Rest:

In the human body a peculiar phenomenon occurs that has, so far, been impossible to explain. Have you ever wondered what happens to your body when you fall asleep? Let me explain...

We are asleep approximately one-third of our lives and are dreaming fifteen to twenty percent of this time. Sleep is a very important part of our daily lives. Without it we would find it difficult to concentrate, become irritable, and unable to function properly. Since the brain never stops, only slows, it is always fully functional on most levels. Our bodies go through some interesting changes while we fall asleep. Our bodies are put out of commission and the brain gradually begins to take over.

During sleep a set of nerve cells actively inhibit our waking state: they keep us asleep. At the onset of sleep the following things happen:

1. Rapid movement of the eyes (REM)

2. low voltage cortial EEG (brain wave) patterns emerge

3. increased variability in breathing

4. increased variability in pulse rate

5. increased blood pressure

6. decreased muscle tonus

7. high brain temperature and metabolic rate

8. increased variability in arousal threshold

9. full or partial penile erection in males

10. dreaming

When a person begins to fall asleep, when the body is at rest, changes in their brain waves begin a ninety minute cycle that starts over every ninety minutes after. This is experienced 4-7 times a night and is called the first of four stages of sleep in the sleep cycle. When completely asleep the brain`s electrical waves slow down and at this point bodily movement normally ceases, except in rare instances. After this point is reached the brain regresses back through stage 3 all the way back to stage 1 - the first stage of sleep; this is where most of our dreaming takes place. Each new period of dreaming in a night's sleep cycle lengthens thereafter.

The dream state, some believe, is the third state of being. It is different from sleep, just as being asleep and awake are two separate states. Carnivores are said to be in the dream state the greatest amount of time. Omnivores are next followed by the herbivores. Dreaming is ran by the primary process of our mental activity, but has some secondary process activity. The sleep state, on the other hand is lead by secondary process activity, with only some primary process activity. Our bodies NEED sleep. It allows us to repair and gives the brain time to recharge ourselves physically and emotionally.