I minored in psych, just graduated. A lot of neuroscientists consider 3 and 4 the same stage now, so there is just 1, 2, 3, and REM. Stage 3 is important because that's the deep sleep that is restorative for your body and brain. Some medications/drugs can limit the amount of stage 3 sleep that you get

Ok...let me get this straight. There's light awake, light sleep, deep sleep, and REM? I bet I got the order wrong, but the terms are more important to me.

And, just curious...the deep sleep affecting meds...what classes are they? Just random meds or antipsychotics or antidepressants? I'm sure it's case by case, but if there is one category to be aware of, I'd like to know. I'm really struggling to get deep sleep...sometimes I don't reach that stage at all for several nights in a row...at least according to my Fitbit.

I would definitely look into a sleep study to see why you aren't getting enough of that deep sleep. The only things I can recall are alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine has a half-life of 6.5 hours, so you shouldn't drink it for at least 6.5 hours before you plan on sleeping. I'll definitely check w my neuroscience prof to see what she has to say.

Cool. Thanks. I'm alcohol and caffeine free, in that matters. I'm having yet another sleep study done tomorrow. This time measuring just oxygen levels as the night goes on. I also have morning tinnitus that we can't explain. Or anytime I sleep, I get tinnitus for a few hours after wakening...loud buzzing.

I was good in Psychology and that's the dream sleep or Rem sleep stage. I noticed it's hard to wake up and I naturally wake up when I'm off for a work day. A mood pill called Zoloft helps with my anxiety and depression. It does make me sleepy too to help me sleep. If you have anxiety, I found it's hard to wind down too after a long day. People wonder why I seem to run on like no sleep. I suggest if you're having sleep issues limit the caffeine like I did. I went to bed early last night (10 or 11 pm instead of 2 am). Alarms help me not over sleep.