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In response to this post, I was forced to think about dreams and behaivor while sleeping.  I think that the idea of dreaming and sleep is very fascinating especially if thought about in regards to the nervous system.  I know that there are several different stages of sleep/dreaming that either belong to REM sleep category or the non-REM sleep category.  Each of the four non-REM stages which begin sleep is uniquely comprised of theta activity, sleep spindles, delta activity, etc. all of which include waves of different frequencies and these stages last for various amounts of time.  After which, REM sleep occurs, which is the abbreviated form of Rapid Eye Movement, and often there is an inhibition of most of the cranial and spinal motor neurons.  In comparison, it is stated that the neurons located in the preoptic area are significantly involved in sleep and dreams during the non-REM stages, especially those within the ventrolateral preoptic area.  The neurons involved with REM sleep include the acetylcholinergic neurons that are essential in initiating REM sleep and are located in the peribranchial area of the brain.  I am very curious as to the difference in the neuronal effects on these different stages of sleep.  I know that when an individual is awakened from a non-REM sleep stage, the person will often report the presence of a thought, an image or an emotion.  However, if the individual is in the REM sleep period and awakened, he or she will often be very alert and attentive in comparison to the previous awakening.  Thus, I am interested in knowing if the neuron system plays a role in this difference when an individual is awakened from a dream, if the neuronal difference has any affect.  I wonder what affect neurons play when the individual awakens naturally, and what causes the differences in moods when an individual is awaken because I know that at times I will awake with a lot of energy or in a good mood, etc, while other times the opposite will occur and the amount of sleep I obtained the night before still remains similar for the most.  I’m curious as to if neurons and sleep stages can predict the body’s approach to the day.