Posted by Elizabeth on February 2, 2000, at 21:03:38
In reply to Re: followup to Noa & Scott, posted by Scott L. Schofield on February 1, 2000, at 10:19:43
> As far as “REM rebound” is concerned, this is a phenomenon seen when discontinuing some antidepressants, especially MAO-inhibitors. These drugs tend to suppress the REM stage of sleep, the one normally associated with dreaming. The “downward” force exerted by the drug is fought by the brain as an “upward” pressure. When the drug is discontinued, the extra REM pressure springs upwards without restraint – it rebounds. The REM stage overshoots, leading to increased time spent in REM sleep, and more vivid dreams. Some people even experience a sort of wakeful dreaming as they begin to fall asleep.
Very well described. :-) One other effect of MAOIs on sleep is that, even before they start suppressing REM sleep (the suppression of REM with MAOIs is near 100%), they cause muscle tone during REM to be retained. When the drug is withdrawn, this effect persists for a short time, resulting in movement during dreams. This can be especially bad for someone like me who has a preexisting REM sleep behavior disorder.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:19787
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20407.html