Lucid dreaming = theta waves = light sleep?

**Metalconch** · 02-13-2011 09:01 AM

If lucid dreams are obtained in a light state of sleep, would a long dream cause sleep deprevation? Also, are lucid dreams only possible with theta/REM cycles

**LikesToTrip** · 02-13-2011 10:34 AM

I don't know where you are getting this information. REM(where almost all dreams occur) is the deepest stage of sleep, some scientists believe REM is the only stage of sleep where we actually rest which is why the Uberman sleep schedule works. So to answer your first question: long dreams would leave you well rested not sleep deprived. And REM is associated with alpha and beta brainwaves rather than theta and delta which are associated with all of the NREM stages. But to answer your second question, lucids are possible in either NREM or REM, but only in REM will the dream be vivid and worthwhile. NREM dreams are very blurry and are extremely short lived; they are closer to Hypnagogic imagery than a dream.

**Metalconch** · 02-13-2011 05:33 PM

Thank you for correcting me and answering all my questions. Now I think I will be deleting this post

**cytotoxicT** · 02-13-2011 06:10 PM

actually you were right about REM being light sleep. In the deep, NREM stages your brain does not have all of this activity that allows for dreaming. and that is why REM sleep has alpha and beta waves, the same as when awake.

http://www.luciddreamexplorers.com/d...hour_graph.jpg

**nina** · 02-13-2011 12:58 PM

As LikesToTrip mentioned, Lucid Dreams are alpha/beta waves...not Theta.

A long dream would not cause sleep deprivation. The only disadvantage that might come from spending most of sleep time in dreams would be decreased declarative memory, recalling facts and events. We need deep slow wave sleep for memory consolidation, which is one of many reasons why I think the Uberman sleep schedule is not a good thing.

**Binsk** · 02-14-2011 04:17 AM

REM(where almost all dreams occur) is the deepest stage of sleep

Not according to my Psychology book and College psychology class from last semester. It is a very light stage of sleep.

**LikesToTrip** · 02-14-2011 05:01 AM

I've always assumed that it was the deepest stage since it occurs last before starting the cycle over. However, it looks like since it is so much different than NREM it can't really be classified as light or deep, it just matters on how you interpret it. If you think deep sleep is associated with the slowest brainwaves then it is light sleep. If you think of deep sleep as having the least muscle tension than REM is deep sleep. It seems like the best idea is to just classify it separately since it differs so drastically from NREM. However, in relation to the original question of whether or not a long dream would cause sleep deprivation it would not because REM sleep is very restful, which I would consider synonymous with deep.
sleep :: Light and deep sleep -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

**Binsk** · 02-14-2011 06:06 AM

To comment on LTT's post about REM being very restful, I don't know if I am in REM the whole time or not, but I know the more dreams I have (Whether through lucid chains, or just an exceptionally active night) I always wake up with allot more energy. So I can't imagine having lots of REM will deprive you, not to mention your body will finally say "enough is enough!" and make it impossible to go into REM if you are in there too long (For example, you can't chain through the whole night, eventually your body will knock you back into the other stages.