Possible involvement of an endogenous benzodiazepine receptor ligand of the inverse agonist type in

[dreamer042]

Wichlinski, Lawrence J. "Possible involvement of an endogenous benzodiazepine receptor ligand of the inverse agonist type in the regulation of rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep: An hypothesis." Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 20.1 (1996): 1-44.

A fascinating paper on the role of beta carbolines in REM sleep, dreams, nightmares, night terrors, and sleep paralysis. :thumb_up:

 

[Ufostrahlen]

Interesting facts from the paper:

Penile erections are a prominent feature of REM in human males (Fisher et al 1965,
Karacan et al 1966).

REM is under cholinergic control (Hobson 1992, Shiromani et al 1987) and erections are under parasympathetic cholinergic control as well (Lefkowitz et al 1990).

Dreaming, especially vivid dreaming with visual imagery and complicated plots, is
closely associated with REM sleep (Dement and Kleitman 1957).

While non-depressed persons typically enter REM about 90-100 minutes after sleep
onset, depressives enter REM about 40 minutes after sleep onset (Duncan et al 1979,
Kupfer 1976).

Curiously, almost any drug with a positive effect on affective state (either mood elevation or anxiety reduction) antagonizes one or more aspects of REM sleep. This general finding applies to a wide range of drug classes, including tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, amphetamine like stimulants, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol (Kay et al 1976, Julien
1992).

Vogel (1983) goes so far as to suggest that REM deprivation is the mechanism by
which antidepressant drugs ameliorate endogenous depression.

 

[null24]

No kidding? I've just read the bullet points you picked out, OP, this is fascinating. Downloaded, awaiting perusal.. .hope it's not too far above my prole head. ..

 

[Ufostrahlen]

Curiously, almost any drug with a positive effect on affective state (either mood elevation or anxiety reduction) antagonizes one or more aspects of REM sleep. This general finding applies to a wide range of drug classes, including tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, amphetamine like stimulants, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol (Kay et al 1976, Julien 1992).

I think that's the most interesting point, null24. I knew that you can use ethanol for the REM rebound effect to increase vivid/lucid dreams, but I didn't know that this applies to a whole list of substances. Btw, I think it was UniverseCannon, who reported vivid dreams at the second day after Ayahuasca use.

REM rebound is the lengthening and increasing frequency and depth of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep which occurs after periods of sleep deprivation. When people have been prevented from experiencing REM, they take less time than usual to attain the REM state.[1] When people are unable to obtain an adequate amount of REM sleep, the pressure to obtain REM sleep builds up. When the subject is able to sleep, they will spend a higher percentage of the night in REM sleep.[2]

REM rebound - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[arcologist]

That explains some of the antidepressant effects of cannabis which also suppresses REM sleep.