The secret to waking up refreshed
REM sleep is crucial for mental health, cognition and more
December 13, 2023
Dr. Rami Khayat says that certain substances, such as caffeine
and some medications, can interfere with REM sleep.
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Credit: Steve Zylius/UCI)
IN THE NEWS: We all know the importance of sleep and getting a good night’s rest, but many of us may not know what constitutes “good sleep.” A key component of a quality night of sleep lies in the rapid-eye movement, or REM, stage.
An adequate amount of time spent in REM is associated with better mental health, cognitive functioning and alertness. Dr. Rami Khayat, the medical director of UCI Health Sleep Medicine Services, spoke to Real Simple about getting the most out of REM sleep.
“The more we provide our brains with the right space and time and decrease exposure to extraneous substances and medications, [the more] it will function normally and produce REM sleep that helps us process and consolidate memories and emotions.”
Khayat is a board-certified sleep medicine specialist and pulmonologist. He is a nationally recognized expert in sleep-disordered breathing. His research addresses the mechanism of cardiovascular disease in sleep apnea and the impact of sleep disorders on the outcomes of patients with heart failure. He is the author or co-author of many peer-reviewed publications and has received several grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and medical device companies.
He has frequently served on review panels for the NIH, the Department of Veterans Affairs and industry. He is currently a leader for an NIH-funded multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the impact of low-flow oxygen on patients with heart failure and central sleep apnea.
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