How much REM sleep do I need?

REM sleep commonly makes up around 20% to 25% of an adult's total sleep, although the amount varies between people and nights. Someone sleeping eight hours might receive roughly 90 to 120 minutes of REM sleep. Longer REM periods tend to occur during the later part of the night, which is one reason cutting sleep short can reduce REM disproportionately. Alcohol, certain medications, stress and sleep disorders can change REM patterns. Consumer trackers provide estimates but cannot measure REM as accurately as a clinical sleep study. There is usually no need to target a precise number of minutes. Getting enough uninterrupted sleep gives your body the opportunity to move naturally through the required balance of sleep stages.