Some indications that back up the role of the amygdala playing in people’s dreams is prominent to the emotions that are fear, anxiety, anger, and confusion. The upper brain plays a huge role in human dreams whether they are having regular dreams or lucid dreams. The reason people don't realize they are dreaming while humans are asleep is because “ … the upper brain which controls language, logic, and critical thinking …show more content…
This health disorder presented as interrupted breathing while the sleeper is at rest. It usually happens when fat builds up or when muscle tone is lost with aging, which causes the windpipe to collapse during breathing when the muscles relax during sleep. This health disorder is also known as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also occur if the neurons that control breathing during sleep malfunction during this period (Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network). During an episode of apnea, “the person's effort to inhale air creates suction that collapses the windpipe” (Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network). This blocks the air flowing through from 10 seconds to a minute while the sleeper struggles to breathe. When the sleepers’ blood oxygen level falls, the brain responds by awakening the sleeper enough to tighten the upper airway muscles and open the windpipe. The sleeper may snort or gasp for air, then resume snoring. This cycle may be repeated hundreds of times during the night while the sleeper is sleeping. The frequent awakenings that sleep apnea patients experience leave them continually sleepy and may lead to personality changes such as irritability or depression and may even end up causing insomnia (Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network). Sleep apnea also deprives the person of oxygen, which can lead to morning headaches, a loss of interest in sex, or a decline in mental functioning. It also is linked to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke “Patients with severe, untreated sleep apnea are two to three times more likely to have automobile accidents than the general population. In some high-risk individuals, sleep apnea may even lead to sudden death from respiratory arrest during sleep” (Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network). About 18 million Americans will suffer from sleep