paradoxical sleep

noun

, Physiology.

1. REM sleep.

paradoxical sleep

noun

1. physiol sleep that appears to be deep but that is characterized by a brain wave pattern similar to that of wakefulness, rapid eye movements, and heavier breathing

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradoxical sleep¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“It’s also called paradoxical sleep or active sleep, because REM sleep is actually very close to being awake,” said Dr. Rajkumar Dasgupta, a sleep medicine and pulmonary specialist at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

From Seattle Times

He also called it a “black box” because it’s unclear why humans and other animals go into the paradoxical sleep state, and it has been debated since REM sleep was discovered in humans some seven decades ago.

From Washington Post

When REM sleep was first discovered, psychologists called it “paradoxical sleep,” as the brain’s electrical activity during REM sleep looks more like the waking brain than it does like the brain during other sleep stages.

From New York Times

“How can we wake a cat during paradoxical sleep and ask it questions?”

From New York Times

He called the REM state “paradoxical sleep,” since the brain is active even though the body is virtually still.

From New York Times