Rapid Eye Movements and Remembering

This work has suggested that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a non-specific indication of many forms of synthesis within cerebral neurones, and that periods of massive learning would cause high percentages of REM sleep.

Abstract

SOME theorists have ignored the content of dreams and concentrated specifically on chemical or physiological aspects1. Oswald2 has postulated that rapid eye movement (REM)3 sleep is a non-specific indication of many forms of synthesis within cerebral neurones, and that periods of massive learning would cause high percentages of REM sleep. Others have explained both dream content and REM state as playing a part in information processing. Some have used computer analogies, suggesting that reorganization takes place during the REM state, involving revision arid updating of cognitive processes and memories4. It is known that remembering involves distortion and conventionalization5, so REM-induced reorganization should also show "effort after meaning".