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Sleep Cycles

Meaning

The recurring, predictable sequence of distinct physiological stages that the brain and body cycle through during a period of sleep, typically lasting about 90 minutes each. These cycles alternate between Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, which has three stages of progressively deeper rest, and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, characterized by dreaming and high brain activity. Optimal hormonal balance and cognitive restoration depend on completing sufficient, uninterrupted sleep cycles.