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REM Behavior Disorder

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage of sleep in which you dream. During REM, all body muscles, except for those used in breathing and circulation, are paralyzed. If you weren't paralyzed you would act out your dreams. In REM Behavior Disorder, that paralyzation is absent, or incomplete, allowing dreams to be "acted out." The dreams may be violent and life-threatening to the person and can result in an injury to themselves or a bed partner. The person will often recall these vivid dreams. Once it is diagnosed, REM Behavior Disorder is easily treated with medication.