Non-Rapid Eye Movement

Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) is a stage of sleep that is characterized by minimal or no dreams at all, relaxed mindset, still body, slow and steady heart rate and breathing rate, and stable blood pressure. Also referred to as dreamless sleep, non-rapid eye movement can recur every two hours throughout the night. NREM sleep is divided into three stages. The first stage, usually called relaxed wakefulness, occurs near the beginning of sleep and is characterized by slow eye movements. The person is partially awake and might jerk involuntarily. In the second stage, dreaming is rare, and there is no eye movement at all. The brain is active, and a person wakes up easily at the slightest provocation. The third stage of NREM sleep is a deep sleep stage characterized by dreams that are less connected, not as vivid, and not easily remembered once the person wakes up.