Sleep-wake cycle

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The Sleep-wake cycle is a diurnal rhythm the human body oscillates in between conscious and unconscious states, the mechanics of which span several fields of science including psychophysiology, endopharmacology, metabolomics, and psychology. In this cycle a person will optimally spend 7 hours in the sleep state which is similar on the surface to unconsciousness (although the phenomenon of lucid dreaming is contradictory to the term unconsciousness). The sleep state is often preformed at night as this is the evolutionary norm for humans, as evidenced by the fact that the hormone melatonin is released during darkness and contributes to the desire to sleep. Although melatonin in this instance serves as a regulatory mechanism for making sure humans sleep once a day during night, it is not the causative factor as humans are able to sleep even during daylight if they are sleepy enough. Though it should be noted that this can lead to circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Biology

The biological process outlined here is cyclic and although it is outlined in a linear form it is better understood in a way that the end leads to the beginning to start over again.

See also

• Circadian rhythm
• Melatonin
• Rapid eye movement