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They have further subdivided nonREM into 4 stages and REM or Stage R sleep into 2 phases, tonic and phasic. Turns out humans are even more complex than neatly organized groupings. In fact, thanks to modern sleep research, we have learned that the phases of sleep shift around. Regardless of the architecture of sleep, one thing is clear: human being\u2019s wellbeing is strongly linked to a good night\u2019s rest whereby all phases of sleep are rhythmic and substantial, unadulterated by drugs, light, and excess stress. In the late 1950\u2019s, scientists discovered that human growth hormone (HGH), the hormone of youth has an affinity for nighttime secretion. Rejuvenation, rehabilitation, restitution is synonymous with HGH, and the better quality sleep you get at night, the more consistent HGH secretion. Thus, I\u2019ve come to the conclusion that the art of Anti-aging, begins with proper sleep hygiene.<\/p>\n
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Dreaming equals therapy<\/h3>\n
Shifting back to the therapeutics of dreaming, it is widely believed dreams occur in REM sleep where the body is essentially paralyzed other than the eyes and diaphgram to keep you from stopping to breath. A series of electrical impulses fire synapses that secrete neurotransmitters triggering past memories, fears and desires and future hopes in some of the most vivid imagery, all the while keeping the body from moving an inch. Memories and thoughts that are not useful get weeded out whereas salient ones are kept in a permanent file. Dreams train the brain to de-escalate response to painful stimuli so to expand our emotional flexibility. These special moments can flourish positive feelings, or warn us how ugly some of life\u2019s situations may become. One of my favorite dreams are those that reunite me with long lost friends. When I wake up from that kind of dream, I have a sense of lightness as I sweetly remember that friend. It\u2019s like a dopamine drive for the brain. Detoxification of thought by way of dreaming leads to heightened emotional intelligence, which translates to better health.<\/p>\n
In my patient interactions, we don\u2019t have a lot of time discussing dreams, not like you would chance with a skillful therapist. For a healthy body and mind, what we doctors really need to be recommending to our patients may not be so much as \u2018eat less sugar and exercise\u2019, but to dream more often.<\/p>\n
How to become a better dreamer<\/h3>\n
If dreaming doesn\u2019t come to you readily, or you are convinced that you don\u2019t dream, go ahead and give it a try. Everyone dreams, even animals dream. All that is required is a good night\u2019s rest and the act of remembering your dreams. Recount what \u201ccrazy\u201d scenes you just woke up from. Go through the details as much as dream memory permits. Repeat the pattern the following morning and for the next several days. Before you know it you\u2019ll be an expert at exquisite dreaming sessions with the added bonus of growing memory cells and enhancing your aging process.<\/p>\n
Tying it altogether: All humans dream. Our dreams mostly occur in REM sleep. Youthful hormones and other similar rejuvenating messengers are released every night, linking sound sleep to good health. The lack of proper sleep hygiene leads to accelerated aging, which most people like to avoid. While our understanding of dreams continues to expand, we are certain of few basic tenets; dreams help us accomplish many things, like ward off depression, build new memory cells, and detoxify the mind.
\nIn Good Health and Sleep,
\nYazdani, MD<\/p>\n