REM behavior disorder is a potentially dangerous parasomnia. As indicated by its name, this disorder occurs during the REM (dream) stage of sleep. Normally, most of our muscles become paralyzed during the REM phase to prevent us from acting out our dreams. In RBD, however, it appears the brain does not properly signal the paralysis function and sleepers physically engage in their dreams without being actively conscious of their behavior. RBD patients have been known to become violent during dreams, injuring themselves and others, even killing people. Three-quarters of RBD patients repeatedly hurt themselves during RBD episodes.
This disorder usually affects middle-aged and older men and is often associated with some type of nerve problem or brain damage. The primary conventional drug used to treat REM-sleep disorders is a benzodiazepine called clonazepam.
