There is a Painful Memory? There is REM Sleep for that.

REM sleep; also known as rapid eye movement, is a kind of sleep that occurs in cycles throughout the night. Research indicates that REM sleep not only reactivates memories and could help you learn from the day’s events, but, REM sleep can also take the edge off of painful memories so one can cope. According to research done by the University of California people who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder),   have trouble getting to the intervals of REM sleep. Brain studies have shown that when a person sleeps there is a sharp decreased in the levels of norepinephrine, a brain chemical affiliated with stress. Unfortunately, people who suffer from PTSD appear to have an increase in norepinephrine therefore causing their dreams to be more stressful. A physician from the Department of Veteran Affairs found that a blood pressure medication taken by PTSD patients, had an advantageous reaction by decreasing the levels of norepinephrine.