Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Random neural firing refers to the spontaneous and uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain during sleep. It is believed to be responsible for creating the basis of dreams.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is a stage of sleep characterized by vivid dreaming and rapid eye movements. It is when most dreams occur.
Activation-Synthesis Theory: This theory suggests that dreams are a result of random neural activity in the brain during REM sleep, which our mind then tries to make sense of by creating narratives.
These are chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between neurons. They play a role in regulating and modulating neural firing, including during dreaming.