Some Psychophysiological Features of Human Sleep

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses psychophysiological features of human sleep. Sleep is a state of inertia and unresponsiveness. Responses, as the ordinary observer can see them, are diminished in sleep. The passage from wakefulness to sleep is accompanied by increasing disorganization of human overt activity and thinking, and by failure of memory storage. These phenomena are seen, often with hallucinations, or even delusions, in sleep-deprived people. Periods of paradoxical sleep with rapid eye movements are accompanied by dreaming and paralysis of much of the body. It is in this kind of sleep that the narcoleptic patient quickly passes on falling asleep by day. His dream may be unpleasant and he may become aware of his paralysis. Outside noises may not awaken the sleeper, but can recognizably alter the dream content. Mental life may also be present during the orthodox phase of sleep, during which both jactatio capitis nocturna and enuresis can occur. The regular intake of some hypnotic drugs is accompanied by a degree of dependence, with a craving for them and disturbance of sleep if they are suddenly withdrawn.