Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
08:58
Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice
Published on: June 19, 2019
When sleep is perceived as wakefulness: an experimental study on state perception during physiological sleep
Doreen Weigand1, Lars Michael, Hartmut Schulz
1Department of Educational Science and Psychology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany. weigand@psych.uni-goettingen.de
Journal of Sleep Research
|November 27, 2007
Summary
Many people perceive wakefulness during sleep, a mismatch between subjective experience and objective sleep stages. This awareness during sleep may be a cognitive style influencing perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Electrophysiologically measured sleep and subjective sleep perception often align.
- However, discrepancies between objective sleep and perceived state are documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perception of actual state during sleep using planned awakenings.
- To analyze the relationship between electrophysiological sleep stages and subjective state judgments.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-eight healthy young adults were awakened from Stage 2 (S2) or Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
- Subjects reported their pre-awakening state (sleep or wakefulness).
- Data analyzed for concordance/discordance between subjective reports and objective sleep stages.
Main Results:
- 70.6% of awakenings were perceived as sleep, while 29.4% were perceived as wakefulness.
- Awake judgments were more frequent from S2 sleep (38.2%) than REM sleep (20.6%).
- Mismatches increased for REM sleep in the latter half of the night; frequent awake judgers reported higher situational awareness.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of individuals perceive wakefulness during objectively defined sleep.
- Awareness during sleep might represent a cognitive style contributing to state perception mismatches.
- These mismatches did not affect core sleep architecture parameters like sleep onset latency or efficiency.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
01:11Understanding Sleep
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
01:23Understanding Consciousness
Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, and surroundings. It encompasses two major components: awareness and arousal. Awareness pertains to the recognition of environmental stimuli and internal states. At the same time, arousal refers to the physiological readiness to engage with these stimuli, which varies significantly between states like sleep and wakefulness.
Sleep, a crucial state, is characterized by reduced physical...
Sleep, a crucial state, is characterized by reduced physical...
01:22Stages of Sleep
Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
01:15Subconsciousness and No Awareness
The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
01:28Perception
Perception is a fundamental psychological process that enables individuals to organize, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information. This process is crucial for understanding and interacting with the world around us. It includes both bottom-up and top-down processing, each playing a distinct role in how we perceive our environment.
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...