The Science of Sleep and Dreams

William Dement, known as the “father of sleep medicine,” offered the world’s first “Sleep and Dreams” course at Stanford in 1971.

Upon his death, the course was renamed “Dement’s Sleep and Dreams” by Rafael Pelayo.

The content of that course serves as the foundation for this offering, which provides an overview of the fascinating realm of sleep and dreams and recent scientific advancements in the field.

We will cover topics related to sleep and its impact on our lives, including normal healthy sleep stages and circadian rhythms, and what influences sleep duration and quality.

We will examine the physiological and neurological processes behind sleep, including brain activity and regulation.

We will also explore the nature of dreams through diverse theories and perspectives on their significance.

Finally, we will discuss common sleep disorders and their management, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and parasomnias.