When we sleep, our body undergoes many changes- it relaxes, rejuvenates and many hormones are produced only while we are asleep. Our body enters the phase of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) which is also known as the paradoxical sleep; in this REM stage our body undergoes changes in respiration, thermo regulation, circulation etc.
Here is a list of things that can happen to us when we are asleep:
1. Sleep paralysis:
When we enter the phase of REM, our muscles get paralyzed. This generally happens due to REM Antonia and due to the hindrance of motor neurons.
2. Body temperature:
Our body doesn’t regulate our body temperature properly while we are asleep. It undergoes Our body undergoes homeostasis and heart rate, cardiac pressure and breathing rate becomes irregular.
3. Hypnic Jerk:
Also known as the sleep twitch, which we undergo once we begin to fall asleep – we experience a falling sensation which leaves one shocked. The jerk leads to the feeling of ‘falling into the void’ and it increases our heartbeat, breath, sweat etc.
4. Exploding head syndrome:
It is a condition of parasomnia in which a person undergoes while falling asleep. One feels fear while falling asleep, which is followed by a headache, loud and imaginary noises and the feeling that something exploded. In many cases, a person with the syndrome sees unexplainable flashes of light
5. Growth hormones produced while sleep: Most of the Human Growth Hormones (HGH) are produced while sleeping. These maintain the metabolism and the body structure
6. Sleep walking:
When sleep walking one does normal activities like walking around, cleaning, cooking, driving. Sleepwalking is observed in children due to delay in maturation whereas in adults it is one of the signs psychological disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety neuroses.
7. Psychological effects:
Deep-REM sleep shapes our sub-conscious mind and makes our mind more receptive to things and makes us creative and helps us perform better in many tasks. Moreover, REM sleep makes our memory better as it alters our memory and preserves the procedural, spatial and emotional memory.
8. Sleep talking:
Also known as somniloquy, it is referred to as speaking loudly in one’s sleep, generally stimulated due to stress, depression, illness or other sleep disorders.
9. Sleep apnea:
Sleep apnea is a major sleeping disorder when a person stops breathing while sleeping. The breath is interrupted during the sleep and the brain and body don’t get enough oxygen while sleeping.
10. Night terror:
Also known as sleep terror; it is a disorder where a person feels terror and scared while sleeping. It is a nocturnal attack which is followed by panic, faster heart rate, sweat and respiration. Due to the feeling of horror, one often screams, thrashes their limbs and lashes out.
Source: India Today
By: Archa Dave
