Tue Sep 02 11:04:16 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**The Hindu Reports: Brain Activity During REM Sleep Rivals Wakefulness**

**New Delhi, September 2, 2025 (The Hindu)** – Contrary to popular belief, the brain remains highly active during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, according to a report published today in *The Hindu*. The article, featured in the “Question Corner / human science” section, clarifies that sleep is not a state of inactivity for the brain, but rather a carefully regulated period of reduced responsiveness.

The report emphasizes that neurons, the brain’s nerve cells, are just as active during REM sleep as they are when we are awake. Mental capacity does not decrease, and the brain continues to process incoming sounds. However, it actively filters out irrelevant stimuli, prioritizing sounds deemed important.

“Incoming sounds are also subjected to ceaseless scrutiny. But the brain ignores the unimportant ones while the important ones, even if feeble, lead to arousal. So irrelevant stimuli are actively shut out during REM sleep.”

The article also notes that while motor responses can be triggered during all stages of sleep, the ability to learn new responses while asleep remains unproven. The findings challenge common misconceptions about sleep, highlighting the complex and essential functions that the brain continues to perform even as we rest.

The Hindu newspaper publishes daily news from India, as well as reviews, technology, science, health and book sections.

Read More