What is the duration of a typical sleep cycle for adults?

The duration of a typical sleep cycle for adults is commonly understood to be between 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, an individual progresses through various stages of sleep, including both non-REM (NREM) and REM sleep. Each cycle begins with light sleep, transitions into deeper stages of NREM sleep, and culminates in REM sleep, which is characterized by rapid eye movements and increased brain activity.

As the night progresses, this cycle repeats multiple times, typically 4 to 6 times, with the duration of each REM stage becoming longer in each subsequent cycle. This pattern is significant for overall sleep architecture and the restorative processes that occur during different sleep stages. Understanding this cycle duration is crucial for evaluating sleep quality and diagnosing sleep disorders, as disruptions to this cycle can lead to negative health outcomes.

The other options reflect durations that either fall short or exceed the established average, making them less accurate representations of a typical adult sleep cycle.