how much rem sleep should you get

For healthy adults, it is recommended to get about 20-25% of total sleep time as REM sleep. If an adult sleeps 7 to 8 hours per night, this equates to roughly 90 to 120 minutes (about 1.5 to 2 hours) of REM sleep. The amount of REM sleep tends to decrease with age, and it happens in cycles throughout the night, with the first REM episode starting around 90 minutes after falling asleep and lasting about 10 minutes, with later cycles increasing in duration. Getting sufficient REM sleep is important for functions such as memory consolidation, emotional processing, learning, and overall brain health. A lack of REM sleep can negatively affect cognitive function, emotional regulation, and may be linked to various health risks. In summary, for most adults aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep, around 1.5 to 2 hours of REM sleep is considered optimal.