What causes humans to have different sleeping types rather than just all having the same type of sleep?
In: Biology
Thalamus activity. When you’re in NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep the thalamus creates bursts of sigma waves (so called “Sleep spindles”). These sigma waves burst around in the brain, transmitting from neuron to neuron, and are speculated to have a function in helping you consolidate and make sense of memories.
The more sigma bursts you have, the heavier you sleep.
P.S: While I haven’t seen research on it I’m also guessing that your attitude changes how deep you sleep. At least I tend to sleep extremely deeply if I’m a place where I feel safe, even if the noise levels are pretty high, but if I sleep in a place where I can’t lock the door or in a tent or if someone else is in the room…much lighter sleeper.
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