I tried to stay up during the two late games, but every time I heard "Like a Rock," my REM cycle would kick in.

Alcohol tends to disturb the first two REM cycles, making them shorter than normal, Dr. Smith said.

Even you must let your guard down during a REM cycle.

If you become aware before the REM cycle has finished, you may notice that you cannot move or speak.

The dreamer may then restate or reshape the problem in a different form during the next REM cycle, and so on, through the night.

You don't spend as much time in all-important REM cycles and you tend to wake up too soon.

What could be so majorly important we should lose a REM cycle?

Knock you out yet give you a natural REM cycle.

REM cycles typically occur in 90 minute intervals and increase in length as the amount of sleep in one session progresses.

When it occurs upon awakening, the person becomes aware before the REM cycle is complete, and it is called hypnopompic or postdormital.