REM is the lightest stage of sleep. REM is often times called stage 5 because there's already stage 1, 2, 3, and 4, so next up would be 5. If you go by this logic, it's easy to see how REM can be thought to be the heaviest stage (since as the stages increase in number they get deeper), but be assured that REM is the lightest stage (or at least one of the lightest). Studies have shown that we do dream during deep sleep/slow-wave sleep (stages 1/2) but they are often hard to remember and not vivid at all which makes it seem like we don't actually dream during this time.
Source: My undergrad biopsychology/neuroscience professor/lectures. I can link you them if you're interested.
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