Posted by jasmineneroli on February 21, 2005, at 0:40:35
In reply to Sleep Stages / Abstract Thoughts /, posted by mmcconathy on February 20, 2005, at 18:50:44
Hi Matt:
I've just been researching about sleep stages myself and here's a summary of what I found:There are four categories of brain wave patterns, that correspond to the stages of wakefulness and sleep.
The most rapid is called a beta brain wave pattern, the pattern of normal waking consciousness. Beta is associated with concentration, arousal, alertness, and cognition.
Beta brain waves run at 14-100Hz, and at the higher level end are associated with anxiety, fear, flight-fight, and feelings of separation.As you become more relaxed, and start to fall asleep, your brain wave activity slows into what is called an alpha brain wave pattern. Alpha patterns vary from deep alpha, a state of deep relaxation often referred to as the twilight state between sleep and waking, to the higher end of alpha which is a more focused yet still very relaxed state.
When you are absorbed in a good book (or a television show) you are probably in higher Hz end Alpha. Alpha is often associated with what is known as "superlearning"-the ability to learn, process, store and recall large amounts of information quickly and efficiently.
Alpha waves are at 8-13.9Hz, and are found at pre-sleep or pre-wakening stages, in deep trances or meditation. Serotonin production increases during this stage.Slower still are theta waves. Theta is best known as the brain wave state of dreaming sleep, but it is also associated with a number of other beneficial states, including increased creativity, some kinds of superlearning, increased memory abilities, and what are called integrative experiences.
"Ah-ha!" experiences, where you suddenly "get it," have an insight, or a great idea suddenly comes to you, are accompanied by bursts of theta waves in your brain
Theta is also a state of tremendous stress relief. In the slower theta brain wave pattern, the brain makes lots of relaxing endorphins.
Theta waves are at 4-7.9Hz. REM Sleep,increased production of catecolamines (for memory and learning), intergrative emotional experiencing and creativity.The slowest brain wave pattern is delta, the brain wave pattern of dreamless sleep. Generally people are asleep in delta, but there is evidence that it is possible to remain alert in this state-a very deep, trance-like sleep.
Delta waves are at .1-3.9Hz. Dreamless sleep stage. Human growth hormone released. Trance-like state, complete lack of body awareness.* I think what you are experiencing might be an anxiety driven surge back into the higher beta brain wave levels, when you were in the "just dropping off to sleep" beginning alpha stage. So you are kind of snapping back into being alert momentarily.
Also, the beginning (higher Hz) Alpha stage can last a really long time for some people, so you can think and follow thoughts and have random thoughts pop into your head. A lot of people who meditate apparently notice this at the beginning of a meditation sessions...as they relax into slower brain wave patterns, they let random thoughts come and go. I don't know about sounds, but visuals are defintely noticed at this level.
Hope this helps.
Jas
poster:jasmineneroli
thread:460982
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050218/msgs/461121.html