ISLAMABAD, August 9 (Online): During rapid eye movement sleep, most of us slip into a state of paralysis. Individuals with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, however, do not. Breaking research sheds light on the neural mechanisms behind this fascinating yet disruptive condition. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a natural part of the sleep cycle; it is when dreaming happens. Around 20 percent of our sleep is spent in REM, most commonly toward the later half of the night. REM sleep is characterized by a low muscle tone, with muscles in a state of relaxation. This phase of the sleep cycle is also known as paradoxical sleep because, while the body is lying calmly, the brain and eyes are highly active. To ensure that we do not injure ourselves while sleeping, our bodies are in a state of paralysis. In the brains of people with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), the mechanism that disconnects our movements from our minds is somehow disturbed. RBD involves a disruption in the neural basis of this phase of sleep. For individuals with RBD, their dreams are brought to life – but not in the romantic, Disney sense of the phrase. People with RBD … Continue reading Understanding REM: When dreams and paralysis are uncoupled