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The Consequences of Inadequate Sleep
Poor sleepers tend to spend less time in REM sleep and have periods of wakefulness more often and longer than deeper sleepers. Babies, who need about 16 hours of sleep each day, may spend up to 50% of their sleeping time in REM, but as we age, REM and overall sleep decline. As adults, sleep time is down to about 7-8 hours and REM is down to 10%-25% of that amount. This lessened deep sleep is typical of aging. By taking sleeping pills, you may fall asleep faster and maybe stay asleep, but the quality of the sleep is not the same. Most sleeping pills reduce the brain's function overall making this sleep different than REM sleep. With pills, REM may only be half of what it should be. But, if the pills are continually taken (we do not recommend this!), REM sleep will gradually return to the normal amount. |