Dark Stranger
10-26-2006, 02:05 PM
I didn't know if this was appropriate for Sleep Disorders or not, so I figured it would fare better here.
I've been wondering about this for a while now, and I haven't been able to find too many sources on the matter. I realize that sleeping and being vegetative are two different states, but I'm very curious as to whether or not dreaming is possible during a coma. Whether the period of unconsciousness lasts a few days or a few years, can dreams occur? Can people remember their dreams if/when they awaken? Does REM occur during a coma, and if so, is it different than REM during periods of normal sleep?
I've been wondering about this for a while now, and I haven't been able to find too many sources on the matter. I realize that sleeping and being vegetative are two different states, but I'm very curious as to whether or not dreaming is possible during a coma. Whether the period of unconsciousness lasts a few days or a few years, can dreams occur? Can people remember their dreams if/when they awaken? Does REM occur during a coma, and if so, is it different than REM during periods of normal sleep?
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kmacdona
10-26-2006, 10:24 PM
I don't know if dreams occur but I would doubt it. I don't think it's possible to be in REM sleep while in a coma. From what I've read, when you are in a coma your brain is producing delta waves so your brain wouldn't respond to stimuli like it might in REM sleep. Some people believe though that a person in a coma might still hear. But I doubt that either. You can do a google/yahoo search on delta brain waves and might find more information on the matter.