During which sleep phase does most dreaming occur?

Most dreaming occurs during REM sleep, which stands for Rapid Eye Movement sleep. This phase of sleep is characterized by increased brain activity that resembles that of being awake, making it the stage where vivid dreams are most prominent. During REM sleep, the body experiences temporary muscle atonia, or paralysis, which prevents individuals from acting out their dreams.

The cyclical nature of sleep includes multiple stages, with REM sleep occurring approximately every 90 minutes throughout the night, becoming longer in duration with each successive cycle. The dreaming that takes place in this phase is often more memorable and emotionally intense compared to dreams that might occur during non-REM stages of sleep, which are generally shorter and less vivid.