Which stage of sleep typically features vivid dreams?

The stage of sleep that typically features vivid dreams is REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and during this stage, brain activity becomes more active, resembling that of wakefulness. It is in REM sleep that most dreaming occurs, characterized by intense and often bizarre dream narratives. This stage is crucial for various cognitive functions such as memory consolidation and emotional regulation.

In contrast, the other stages of NREM sleep—NREM 1, NREM 2, and NREM 3—are associated with lighter to deeper states of rest where dreaming is less frequent and usually less vivid than in REM sleep. NREM sleep is primarily focused on physical restoration and energy conservation, rather than the heightened brain activity found in REM sleep that leads to more elaborate dream experiences.