🚨 New paper from our lab: "Immersive NREM2 dreaming preserves subjective sleep depth against declining sleep pressure."
More on the determinants of dream content coming soon.
More on the determinants of dream content coming soon.
🧠💤 New paper out in @plosbiology.org! Together with Adriana Michalak (@dr-adri.bsky.social), Davide Marzoli, Francesco Pietrogiacomi et al., we show that dreaming, especially immersive dreaming, plays a key role in how deep sleep feels.
🔗 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
@erc.europa.eu #ERC-StG #sleep
🔗 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
@erc.europa.eu #ERC-StG #sleep
March 25, 2026 at 12:58 PM
🚨 New paper from our lab: "Immersive NREM2 dreaming preserves subjective sleep depth against declining sleep pressure."
More on the determinants of dream content coming soon.
More on the determinants of dream content coming soon.
When I am progressing into PEM, I watch my sleep cycles and see if my NREM2 (often referred to as "light phase" sleep by wearables) is erratic, with it being extended.
If so, I take that to mean I'm stuck in NREM2 because I am not doing glymphatic clearance efficiently.
If so, I take that to mean I'm stuck in NREM2 because I am not doing glymphatic clearance efficiently.
September 12, 2026 at 11:51 AM
When I am progressing into PEM, I watch my sleep cycles and see if my NREM2 (often referred to as "light phase" sleep by wearables) is erratic, with it being extended.
If so, I take that to mean I'm stuck in NREM2 because I am not doing glymphatic clearance efficiently.
If so, I take that to mean I'm stuck in NREM2 because I am not doing glymphatic clearance efficiently.
So I have thoughts, which of course connect to incretins like GIP and GLP-1, along with NREM2, glymphatic clearance, and the cNTS (a structure in the medulla).
First, GIP has been shown to be correlated with hr increases and glucose levels in POTS, often leading to reactive hypoglycemia.
First, GIP has been shown to be correlated with hr increases and glucose levels in POTS, often leading to reactive hypoglycemia.
Not to overshare, but I've been pretty open about my confusing crash that started on 6/19.
In the 'just thinking about things' category, on 5/14, I started 1MG of Rapamycin. Unfortunately I developed GI pain on 5/19 and had to stop. My GI doctor tested my calprotectin, and it..
In the 'just thinking about things' category, on 5/14, I started 1MG of Rapamycin. Unfortunately I developed GI pain on 5/19 and had to stop. My GI doctor tested my calprotectin, and it..
Hey #NEISvoid & friends - first PEM crash in a long time here. Thought I had paced well with Visible and Garmin body battery, but this crash snuck up on me. I’m currently following Bateman Horne Center’s Crash Survival Guide as best I can (radical rest, reducing stimulation
July 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
So I have thoughts, which of course connect to incretins like GIP and GLP-1, along with NREM2, glymphatic clearance, and the cNTS (a structure in the medulla).
First, GIP has been shown to be correlated with hr increases and glucose levels in POTS, often leading to reactive hypoglycemia.
First, GIP has been shown to be correlated with hr increases and glucose levels in POTS, often leading to reactive hypoglycemia.
Vivid dreaming makes sleep feel deeper journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Immersive NREM2 dreaming preserves subjective sleep depth against declining sleep pressure
Perceived sleep depth is generally thought to reflect reduced brain activity. This study shows that this relationship weakens during dreaming, suggesting that dreaming helps sustain the subjective exp...
journals.plos.org
March 27, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Vivid dreaming makes sleep feel deeper journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
To end this thread, I really believe sleep cycle dysfunction is a critical aspect for the symptoms of ME/CFS, but we don't all have the same cause of the sleep dysfunction.
The glymphatic clearance during NREM2 is critical for brain health and repair, so if it's not working, we can't recover.
The glymphatic clearance during NREM2 is critical for brain health and repair, so if it's not working, we can't recover.
September 21, 2026 at 1:47 PM
To end this thread, I really believe sleep cycle dysfunction is a critical aspect for the symptoms of ME/CFS, but we don't all have the same cause of the sleep dysfunction.
The glymphatic clearance during NREM2 is critical for brain health and repair, so if it's not working, we can't recover.
The glymphatic clearance during NREM2 is critical for brain health and repair, so if it's not working, we can't recover.
I wonder if there will be any discussion of sleep architecture? It's something I have been working on for myself.
There are intersections with norepinephrine, glutamate, insulin/GIP, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance that seem really relevant! (At least in my case.)
There are intersections with norepinephrine, glutamate, insulin/GIP, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance that seem really relevant! (At least in my case.)
Looking forward to the part about "possible treatments in ME/CFS"
Jan 24, 2025
1p Eastern US
Hosts include @renegaderesearch.bsky.social @tessfalor.bsky.social @isabelrb.bsky.social @richellesepulveda.bsky.social
Robert Naviaux, MD.
Q. Can NextGen Metabolomics be used to help diagnose CFS?
A: Yes!
Jan 24, 2025
1p Eastern US
Hosts include @renegaderesearch.bsky.social @tessfalor.bsky.social @isabelrb.bsky.social @richellesepulveda.bsky.social
Robert Naviaux, MD.
Q. Can NextGen Metabolomics be used to help diagnose CFS?
A: Yes!
Wow! Next Week: 1/24/25, Fri, 1p ET US.
Speaker Robert Naviaux, MD, (Genetics Prof UCSD) on
"Cell danger response (CDR) inhibition of salugenesis—molecular and mechanical mechanisms and possible treatments in ME/CFS"
Register here
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Speaker Robert Naviaux, MD, (Genetics Prof UCSD) on
"Cell danger response (CDR) inhibition of salugenesis—molecular and mechanical mechanisms and possible treatments in ME/CFS"
Register here
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I wonder if there will be any discussion of sleep architecture? It's something I have been working on for myself.
There are intersections with norepinephrine, glutamate, insulin/GIP, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance that seem really relevant! (At least in my case.)
There are intersections with norepinephrine, glutamate, insulin/GIP, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance that seem really relevant! (At least in my case.)
I've done something similar to break up my NREM2 cycle a bit before REM kicks in.
NREM2 is when you do glymphatic clearance the most, and if that is inefficient, when REM kicks in to switch everything back on there can be errors in the system reboot, so to speak.
(REM is when sleep paralysis is.)
NREM2 is when you do glymphatic clearance the most, and if that is inefficient, when REM kicks in to switch everything back on there can be errors in the system reboot, so to speak.
(REM is when sleep paralysis is.)
March 24, 2025 at 3:21 AM
I've done something similar to break up my NREM2 cycle a bit before REM kicks in.
NREM2 is when you do glymphatic clearance the most, and if that is inefficient, when REM kicks in to switch everything back on there can be errors in the system reboot, so to speak.
(REM is when sleep paralysis is.)
NREM2 is when you do glymphatic clearance the most, and if that is inefficient, when REM kicks in to switch everything back on there can be errors in the system reboot, so to speak.
(REM is when sleep paralysis is.)
Very interesting!
Given how norepinephrine and glutamate interact, and how norepinephrine is critical for the glymphatic pulsing during NREM2 sleep phase, and how that is so disrupted in MECFS, the brain stem definitely seems to be the focus/source of the illness, at least for me.
Given how norepinephrine and glutamate interact, and how norepinephrine is critical for the glymphatic pulsing during NREM2 sleep phase, and how that is so disrupted in MECFS, the brain stem definitely seems to be the focus/source of the illness, at least for me.
Delighted to share our discoveries about one of the brain's neurotransmitter systems:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Together with colleagues at the @alleninstitute.org, we have learned a lot about a tiny cluster of neurons in the brainstem locus coeruleus (LC) that releases norepinephrine (NE). 1
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Together with colleagues at the @alleninstitute.org, we have learned a lot about a tiny cluster of neurons in the brainstem locus coeruleus (LC) that releases norepinephrine (NE). 1
www.biorxiv.org
April 13, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Very interesting!
Given how norepinephrine and glutamate interact, and how norepinephrine is critical for the glymphatic pulsing during NREM2 sleep phase, and how that is so disrupted in MECFS, the brain stem definitely seems to be the focus/source of the illness, at least for me.
Given how norepinephrine and glutamate interact, and how norepinephrine is critical for the glymphatic pulsing during NREM2 sleep phase, and how that is so disrupted in MECFS, the brain stem definitely seems to be the focus/source of the illness, at least for me.
So, if you get something that raises neuroinflammation (acute illness, increased stress, or anything that interferes with CSF flow, IJVC, mold stuff, etc.) then it may overload the limited clearance you can do during NREM2 and lead to a crash.
July 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
So, if you get something that raises neuroinflammation (acute illness, increased stress, or anything that interferes with CSF flow, IJVC, mold stuff, etc.) then it may overload the limited clearance you can do during NREM2 and lead to a crash.
If I am correct, this will be correlated with higher likelihood of PEM, as any extra pressure in the brain from increased physical activity, or cognitive load (including high emotions).
Stabilizing neural blood pressure during NREM2 is critical to prevent this!
Stabilizing neural blood pressure during NREM2 is critical to prevent this!
July 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If I am correct, this will be correlated with higher likelihood of PEM, as any extra pressure in the brain from increased physical activity, or cognitive load (including high emotions).
Stabilizing neural blood pressure during NREM2 is critical to prevent this!
Stabilizing neural blood pressure during NREM2 is critical to prevent this!
This makes me think of Tamara Carnac's hypothesis for MECFS. I wondered if you had seen it before?
It connects with mine regarding sleep phases (especially NREM2) and MCAS+MECFS.
So far my little self-experiments have been positive for testing mine.
It connects with mine regarding sleep phases (especially NREM2) and MCAS+MECFS.
So far my little self-experiments have been positive for testing mine.
December 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This makes me think of Tamara Carnac's hypothesis for MECFS. I wondered if you had seen it before?
It connects with mine regarding sleep phases (especially NREM2) and MCAS+MECFS.
So far my little self-experiments have been positive for testing mine.
It connects with mine regarding sleep phases (especially NREM2) and MCAS+MECFS.
So far my little self-experiments have been positive for testing mine.
If you have a wearable, NREM2 might show up as "light sleep." One way to tell if there is an issue is if it is in much longer or shorter phases than the other stages.
March 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
If you have a wearable, NREM2 might show up as "light sleep." One way to tell if there is an issue is if it is in much longer or shorter phases than the other stages.
I think this is helping to stabilize my (technically undiagnosed) Internal Jugular Vein Compression (IJVC), which interfered with the norepinephrine-mediated pulsing during NREM2, leading to efficient glymphatic clearance.
I wake up feeling refreshed now!
I am also working full-time again!
I wake up feeling refreshed now!
I am also working full-time again!
July 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I think this is helping to stabilize my (technically undiagnosed) Internal Jugular Vein Compression (IJVC), which interfered with the norepinephrine-mediated pulsing during NREM2, leading to efficient glymphatic clearance.
I wake up feeling refreshed now!
I am also working full-time again!
I wake up feeling refreshed now!
I am also working full-time again!
I am kinda working off the assumption that NREM2 is the "rinse cycle" and this has to be completed before REM kicks in and switches everything back on and activated everything.
But also this clearance of the "rinse cycle" can also happen while awake.
But also this clearance of the "rinse cycle" can also happen while awake.
December 30, 2024 at 5:46 PM
I am kinda working off the assumption that NREM2 is the "rinse cycle" and this has to be completed before REM kicks in and switches everything back on and activated everything.
But also this clearance of the "rinse cycle" can also happen while awake.
But also this clearance of the "rinse cycle" can also happen while awake.
I've found some interesting stuff with my sleep phase stuff and PEM.
Like if I have extended NREM2, I will likely have PEM, but if I interrupt my NREM2 phase after having overdid it during the day, no (or very little) PEM.
I may be tired then, but not PEM tired, if that makes sense.
Like if I have extended NREM2, I will likely have PEM, but if I interrupt my NREM2 phase after having overdid it during the day, no (or very little) PEM.
I may be tired then, but not PEM tired, if that makes sense.
November 28, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I've found some interesting stuff with my sleep phase stuff and PEM.
Like if I have extended NREM2, I will likely have PEM, but if I interrupt my NREM2 phase after having overdid it during the day, no (or very little) PEM.
I may be tired then, but not PEM tired, if that makes sense.
Like if I have extended NREM2, I will likely have PEM, but if I interrupt my NREM2 phase after having overdid it during the day, no (or very little) PEM.
I may be tired then, but not PEM tired, if that makes sense.
I've had a few successful self-experiments with sleep stuff, including interrupting a specific phase (NREM2) where a significant amount of glymphatic clearance is SUPPOSED to happen.
For me I can tell when I am going downhill a bit because I start having extended phases NREM2.
For me I can tell when I am going downhill a bit because I start having extended phases NREM2.
February 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I've had a few successful self-experiments with sleep stuff, including interrupting a specific phase (NREM2) where a significant amount of glymphatic clearance is SUPPOSED to happen.
For me I can tell when I am going downhill a bit because I start having extended phases NREM2.
For me I can tell when I am going downhill a bit because I start having extended phases NREM2.
Stabilizing my neck and jugular vein allowed intracranial pressure to stabilize as well, which then helps the CSF move efficiently and the glymphatic system to clear waste better.
When NREM2 worked better, REM no longer overworked my brain before waking.
When NREM2 worked better, REM no longer overworked my brain before waking.
May 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Stabilizing my neck and jugular vein allowed intracranial pressure to stabilize as well, which then helps the CSF move efficiently and the glymphatic system to clear waste better.
When NREM2 worked better, REM no longer overworked my brain before waking.
When NREM2 worked better, REM no longer overworked my brain before waking.
Interesting. Mom has a tendency to wake me up in NREM2, which leads to several hours of awake overnight. That takes me into PEM within 48 hours.
November 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Interesting. Mom has a tendency to wake me up in NREM2, which leads to several hours of awake overnight. That takes me into PEM within 48 hours.
I keep meaning to do a write up on it and how I think it's relevant to sleep (especially NREM2!) but I haven't had the chance yet.
May 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I keep meaning to do a write up on it and how I think it's relevant to sleep (especially NREM2!) but I haven't had the chance yet.
Oh, do I?!!! Yes!
I've got to sort out my thoughts to make them consistent and clear, as right now I am thinking about neuroinflammation, cytokines, elevated intracranial pressure, structural issues (like chiari, IJVC, etc.), NREM2+norepinephrine+REM+glutamate, GIP/GLP-1+HR+blood glucose, and more!
I've got to sort out my thoughts to make them consistent and clear, as right now I am thinking about neuroinflammation, cytokines, elevated intracranial pressure, structural issues (like chiari, IJVC, etc.), NREM2+norepinephrine+REM+glutamate, GIP/GLP-1+HR+blood glucose, and more!
July 11, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Oh, do I?!!! Yes!
I've got to sort out my thoughts to make them consistent and clear, as right now I am thinking about neuroinflammation, cytokines, elevated intracranial pressure, structural issues (like chiari, IJVC, etc.), NREM2+norepinephrine+REM+glutamate, GIP/GLP-1+HR+blood glucose, and more!
I've got to sort out my thoughts to make them consistent and clear, as right now I am thinking about neuroinflammation, cytokines, elevated intracranial pressure, structural issues (like chiari, IJVC, etc.), NREM2+norepinephrine+REM+glutamate, GIP/GLP-1+HR+blood glucose, and more!
💤𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀💤
Our findings indicate that 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 is not solely determined by reduced brain activity. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 appear to maintain the 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 as 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 naturally declines across the night.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Our findings indicate that 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 is not solely determined by reduced brain activity. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 appear to maintain the 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 as 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 naturally declines across the night.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Immersive NREM2 dreaming preserves subjective sleep depth against declining sleep pressure
Perceived sleep depth is generally thought to reflect reduced brain activity. This study shows that this relationship weakens during dreaming, suggesting that dreaming helps sustain the subjective exp...
dx.plos.org
March 24, 2026 at 9:57 PM
💤𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀💤
Our findings indicate that 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 is not solely determined by reduced brain activity. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 appear to maintain the 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 as 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 naturally declines across the night.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
Our findings indicate that 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 is not solely determined by reduced brain activity. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 appear to maintain the 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 as 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 naturally declines across the night.
dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
I have learned that (for me) my 2am wake up is attempting to be protective for brain clearance during the sleep cycle.
So if I wake up at 2-3am, my mind racing and not able to fall back asleep easily, I just get up for a few hours to break up my NREM2 phase before REM gets going.
So if I wake up at 2-3am, my mind racing and not able to fall back asleep easily, I just get up for a few hours to break up my NREM2 phase before REM gets going.
June 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
I have learned that (for me) my 2am wake up is attempting to be protective for brain clearance during the sleep cycle.
So if I wake up at 2-3am, my mind racing and not able to fall back asleep easily, I just get up for a few hours to break up my NREM2 phase before REM gets going.
So if I wake up at 2-3am, my mind racing and not able to fall back asleep easily, I just get up for a few hours to break up my NREM2 phase before REM gets going.
But I have been experimenting with my sleep (actually purposely interrupting NREM2, but that requires a longer explanation...) and that has been really successful so far for stabilizing the norepinephrine/glutamate (GANE model) response during REM.
February 21, 2025 at 12:30 AM
But I have been experimenting with my sleep (actually purposely interrupting NREM2, but that requires a longer explanation...) and that has been really successful so far for stabilizing the norepinephrine/glutamate (GANE model) response during REM.
where the military sleeping technique is based on the concept that the main barrier between NREM1 (stage of sleep when youre awake conscious but your body is shutting everything down) and NREM2 (starting to sleep) is relaxing all the muscles. its about going limb by limb relaxing all your muscles
July 2, 2026 at 4:59 AM
where the military sleeping technique is based on the concept that the main barrier between NREM1 (stage of sleep when youre awake conscious but your body is shutting everything down) and NREM2 (starting to sleep) is relaxing all the muscles. its about going limb by limb relaxing all your muscles
So the postprandial tachycardia could be a marker of neuroinflammation (my hypothesis).
Ok, so now we move onto sleep, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance.
Most of the glymphatic clearance happens during NREM2, the mid stages during the sleep cycle AFTER NREM3 (deep phase sleep).
Ok, so now we move onto sleep, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance.
Most of the glymphatic clearance happens during NREM2, the mid stages during the sleep cycle AFTER NREM3 (deep phase sleep).
July 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
So the postprandial tachycardia could be a marker of neuroinflammation (my hypothesis).
Ok, so now we move onto sleep, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance.
Most of the glymphatic clearance happens during NREM2, the mid stages during the sleep cycle AFTER NREM3 (deep phase sleep).
Ok, so now we move onto sleep, NREM2, and glymphatic clearance.
Most of the glymphatic clearance happens during NREM2, the mid stages during the sleep cycle AFTER NREM3 (deep phase sleep).