how much rem sleep should i get

For healthy adults, the recommended amount of REM sleep is about 20-25% of the total sleep time. If an adult sleeps around 7-8 hours per night, this equates to approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours of REM sleep. REM sleep usually occurs in cycles throughout the night, with each cycle getting longer as the night progresses. REM sleep is crucial for brain function, memory consolidation, emotional health, and processing emotions. Lack of sufficient REM sleep can impair concentration, memory, and emotional regulation, and it can contribute to long-term health risks like cardiovascular disease and depression. In summary, aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep with about 1.5 to 2 hours of REM sleep is optimal for most adults to support overall health and cognitive function.