First & Foremost let me clear the air, I am not better than anyone else and I am one mistake away from ending up in the grave. This is some generic Google search information that I think applies to the sleep & sleep related issues from certain drugs :
Methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant, significantly disrupts sleep patterns, especially REM sleep.
Here's how methamphetamine affects sleep, particularly REM sleep:
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a distinct stage of sleep characterized by:
- Rapid eye movements: The eyes move rapidly under closed eyelids.
- Increased brain activity: Brain waves resemble those seen during wakefulness.
- Dreaming: Most dreaming occurs during REM sleep.
- Loss of muscle tone: The body is temporarily paralyzed, preventing the acting out of dreams.
REM sleep typically occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and repeats several times throughout the night. It is considered an important part of the sleep cycle, contributing to memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
REM sleep suppression: Methamphetamine use, even at doses that don't significantly reduce total sleep time, leads to a decrease in the duration of REM sleep.
Disrupted sleep architecture: Methamphetamine impacts the structure of sleep cycles, leading to changes in the time spent in different sleep stages. This includes:
Decreased REM sleep: As mentioned, meth reduces time in REM sleep.
Increased N1 sleep: Methamphetamine increases the percentage of total sleep time spent in N1, a light sleep stage.
Sleep rebound effects: After discontinuing methamphetamine use, individuals may experience a "REM rebound," which involves an increase in the duration and intensity of REM sleep. This is your body's attempt to compensate for the suppressed REM sleep during active use.
Why this matters:
- REM sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional processing, and memory consolidation. Disruptions to REM sleep can lead to various negative consequences.
- Sleep problems can trigger cravings and increase the risk of relapse in individuals recovering from methamphetamine addiction. Addressing these sleep disturbances is critical for successful recovery.
Overall, methamphetamine use disrupts sleep patterns, particularly by suppressing REM sleep, which can have significant consequences for both physical and mental health.
REM sleep typically occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and repeats several times throughout the night. It is considered an important part of the sleep cycle, contributing to memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Another wards if our body is not getting enough REM sleep it will take it from us. This can be at the oddest of times.
It is scary how compiling some of these drugs creates a hot mess do deal with. Or worse in front of one's beautiful children.