Non-rapid eye movement sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), also known as quiescent sleep, is, collectively, sleep stages 1–3, previously known as stages 1–4. Rapid eye movement sleep (REM) is not included. There are distinct electroencephalographic and other characteristics seen in each stage.

Unlike REM sleep, there is usually little or no eye movement during these stages.
Dreaming occurs during both sleep states, and muscles are not paralyzed as in REM sleep.
People who do not go through the sleeping stages properly get stuck in NREM sleep, and because muscles are not paralyzed a person may be able to sleepwalk.

Back to The Science of Sleep →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

FOAMNIGHTS

Better sleep, by design — mattresses, foam, and the science of rest.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.