by Sleep Division
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which takes up about 20-25% of our sleeping time, is generally where we dream. During this state of being, we are essentially paralyzed, that is, no muscles work other than the eyes (ergo REM sleep), the heart and the diaphragm. This is protective. If we were not paralyzed during REM sleep, we would get out of bed and act out our dreams, much to the dismay of ourselves and everyone around us. In RBD, we lose our REM paralysis and may scream and flail in sleep. RBD occurs more frequently in Parkinson’s patients. Medical treatment is available.