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Slow-Wave Sleep

Meaning

Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS), also known as deep sleep or N3 stage sleep, is the deepest and most restorative phase of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, characterized by high-amplitude, low-frequency delta brain waves. This critical phase is physiologically essential for physical restoration, memory consolidation, and the majority of Growth Hormone Release. Adequate SWS duration is a key clinical biomarker for assessing sleep quality and overall endocrine health.