A Deep Dive into the Sea of Sleep

by Therese Rose F. Aquino

Whether it is by sacrificing sleep for a battle royale game or spending 12 hours a day in bed, the five-month quarantine has definitely altered students’ sleeping schedules. For some, sleeping may feel like a mandatory part of their routine: a period of rest, or even a chore to accomplish. So, when concerned with its effects on their brain performance, students ask: what happens to the body during sleep?

The human body alternates between two categories in its sleep cycle: non-REM sleep and REM sleep.

Level 1: Non-REM Sleep Medicine Net describes nonREM sleep, or non-rapid eye movement sleep, as the dreamless state of the cycle. The first stage of this category is distinguished by light sleep, where the heart rate decreases, and the body temperature drops. A person is easily woken up in this state as the body is only beginning to enter full slumber. The “deep sleep” stage is distinguished by the process of cell repair and brain waste removal. This stage is crucial for ensuring that the brain is clear enough to function once the body is awake. Finally, the brain releases slow delta brain waves, signifying the transition from non-REM sleep to REM sleep. Level 2: REM Sleep Rapid eye movement sleep is marked by Cleveland Clinic as the stage involved in physiological changes such as muscle relaxation, eye movement, faster respiration, and increased brain activity. This results in vivid dreams and can alternatively be referred to as paradoxical sleep. The dream reference in Ariana Grande’s song ‘’R.E.M.’’ originates from this category, wherein the body is immobilized while the brain remains active creating intense dreams. Medical News Today also presents an interesting fact about paradoxical sleep, stating that sleep paralysis occurs when it is disrupted, which explains the body’s inability to move while the person is hyper-aware of their sudden wake.

As the student body treads unfamiliar territory through online learning, one should also consider the intake of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone released when the body’s environment is exposed to the dark, telling the brain that it is time to sleep. Hence, once there is light, the body acknowledges that it is time to wake up. According to Healthline, melatonin users have not shown withdrawal, symptoms of addiction, or building tolerance to taking sleeping aids. To determine the dosage for sedation, observe reactions to a low dosage, and add as necessary.

Sleep’s impact on brain activity is too important for students to overlook. Excessive sleep, or lack thereof, can negatively affect cognitive ability as well as mental development. Considering melatonin aid and being informed of the sleep cycle are two ways students can combat sleepless nights and the impending stressors of an online academic year