Argument With My Brother

[chzplz]

My brother and me had an argument today. He's in college, and studying human physiology. He told me that when you sleep that your REM states are shorter as the night proceeds. He agreed that it does get easier to get to REM sleep as the night goes on, but he is SURE that REM does get shorter. I thought I read that in the beginning of the night, REM cycles last up to ten to fifteen minutes, and early in the morning, they last up to 40. I thought that was the reason it was easier to do WILDS and FILDS and such at three AM instead of when you first go to sleep. Any help? Oh, and could you post where you got your findings. He probably won't just accept someone’s word, but if there is an official source, that would sure help. Thanks! ^_^

[tjg92]

I'm pretty sure that in Stephan LaBerge's book "Exploring Lucid Dreams" (or something along the lines of Exploring and Lucid Dreams...) it says REM stages get longer. And pretty much everything else I've read about it. And maybe instead of you finding a source, HE should find a source, because it sounds like he's the only one in the world to believe this

[blade5x]

There is a point where they start getting shorter, but I don't know after how long. I think they get longer, peak, and than start to get shorter. My non-lucids last alot longer than my late morning WILDs

[TygrHawk]

Heya chz! I'm pretty sure your brother is wrong about this. I found this excerpt: The first period of REM typically lasts 10 minutes, with each recurring REM stage lengthening, and the final one lasting an hour.[/b] I found it on this website -- but I know I've seen the same thing a number of other places as well. Just google "sleep cycles" and "REM sleep".