Understanding your sleep is the first step in improving it.

​Take the stress out of sleep with a clear view of what’s really going on.

N1 – light sleep, somnolence, drowsy sleep – comprises 5–10 percent of total sleep in adults): This is a stage of sleep that usually occurs between sleep and wakefulness and sometimes occurs between periods of deeper sleep and periods of REM. The muscles are active, and the eyes roll slowly, opening and closing moderately. The brain transitions from alpha waves having a frequency of 8–13 Hz (common in the awake state) to theta waves having a frequency of 4–7 Hz

N2, – comprises 45–55 percent of total sleep in adults): In this stage, theta activity is observed, and sleepers become gradually harder to awaken; the alpha waves of the previous stage are diminished or disappear, and abrupt activity called sleep spindles (or thalamocortical spindles) and K-complexes appear. Sleep spindles range in frequency from 11 to 16 Hz (most commonly 12–14 Hz).

N3 – deep sleep, slow-wave sleep – comprises 15–25 percent of total sleep in adults): Formerly divided into stages 3 and 4, this stage is called slow-wave sleep (SWS) or deep sleep. SWS is initiated in the preoptic area and consists of delta activity and high amplitude waves at 0-4 Hz. The sleeper is less responsive to the environment; many environmental stimuli no longer produce any reactions. Slow-wave sleep is thought to be the most restful form of sleep. This stage is characterized by a minimum of 20 percent delta waves ranging from 0.5–2 Hz and having a peak-to-peak amplitude >75 μV. (EEG standards define delta waves to be from 0 to 4 Hz )

REM Sleep – comprises 20–25 percent of total sleep in adults). Known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, where most muscles are paralyzed, and heart rate, breathing, and body temperature become unregulated, the sleeper may dream.

REM sleep is initiated through acetylcholine secretion and inhibited by neurons that secrete monoamines, including serotonin. During this stage, vital signs indicate arousal and oxygen consumption by the brain is higher than during wake. An adult reaches REM approximately every 90 minutes. The exact function of REM sleep is still a bit of a mystery; however, it appears that a lack of it impairs the ability to learn complex tasks. Paralysis from muscular atonia in REM may be necessary to protect organisms from damaging themselves through physical activity.

SOL, nb and duration of awakenings, Heart Rate, Breathing rate and snoring, Perceived sleep quality

Sleep clinics and labs employ a sleep monitoring technology called polysomnography (PSG). Brain activity, heart rate, respiratory rate, and movement are measured, but brain activity gives the most precise data about a person’s sleep.

Our hardware has sensors that measure these biomarkers to monitor sleep as precisely as PSG. The graph shows how the signal from sensors compares with that of the PSG in tracking sleep stages (Wake, N1, N2, N3, and REM sleep).

Sleep endpoints:

With A Better BRAIN comes a Better LIFE