3 ms·
The best explanation I've heard for the three states of consciousness (NREM, REM and wakefulness), and one that the evidence in this article seems to support, i
by a-priori 18y ago
The best explanation I've heard for the three states of consciousness (NREM, REM and wakefulness), and one that the evidence in this article seems to support, is the default theory of sleep. This theory states (counterintuitively) that NREM is the default state of consciousness. However, for whatever reason an animal can't remain in NREM sleep forever (in humans, only 3-4 hours a day), so at that time it will switch to REM sleep. When it has some need (hunger, thirst, sex), it will wake up. When that need is satisfied, it returns to either NREM sleep or, failing that, REM sleep. REM sleep acts as a "holding state" that conserves energy and keeps the animal out of trouble.
I'm not sure if it's the accepted theory for sleep. I couldn't find references to it by name in journal articles, but perhaps it has another name. I learnt it from Biopsychology by Pinel.