Non REM Dream States: Well worth a read.

[moonshine]

Just read this from a musty old dream book. Though it worth sharing: Dreams were once thought to be exclusive to the REM state, but researchers later discovered that dreaming also takes place during other stages of sleep. Dreams arisign during non-REM sleep are shorter and less visual and vivid than their REM counterpart. Usually concerned with current problems, they often involve logical reasoning and don't seem like dreams at all; many people experience them as periods of being awake and "just thinking." Well I've been there often enough, especially when stressed. Dreams also occur during the Hypnogogic state - that transitory period between wakefullness and sleep. These dreams usually involve strange body sensations, surrealistic conversations, and hallucinations. They are similar to REM dreams in nature, but are shorter and don't involve Rapid Eye Movement. Not news to many I guess, but I though it was a good summary. Especially the "just thinking" bit. I often slip from REM dreams into that headspace. This is were you need to wake yourself up of you want to remember a dream. Theres been the odd occasion (especially when stressed) that I've had thoughts rattling around in my head all night - sometimes with no rhyme or reason.