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REM Sleep Emotional Processing

Meaning

The critical neurological function occurring predominantly during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, where the brain actively works to consolidate emotional memories, reduce the affective intensity of traumatic experiences, and integrate new emotional information into existing cognitive frameworks. This process is mediated by the interplay between the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, often characterized by high brain activity coupled with noradrenergic suppression. Adequate REM sleep is therefore essential for psychological resilience and hormonal regulation of mood.