Yes, technology does affect REM sleep. This is because the blue light emitted from electronic screens such as televisions, laptops, and smartphones can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that is released in the evening to prepare your body for sleep. This can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
In addition, the content we watch or interact with on these screens can affect our sleep as well. For example, if we watch a horror movie or a violent show right before going to bed, our brains still reflect on the fearful or exciting images and this can interfere with our ability to relax and enter a deep sleep.
Also, the noise generated by our electronics can be disruptive. Even if we don’t realize it, the hum of a computer or the buzz of a television can be enough to disrupt our sleep patterns.
Finally, we may be tempted to stay up later than we should because of our electronic devices. We may find ourselves scrolling through social media or watching a show until late into the night, making it difficult to wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
Overall, technology has a significant effect on our REM sleep. It is important to be aware of this and create an environment that is conducive to restful sleep, such as reducing the amount of screen time before bed, turning off electronics an hour before bed, and creating a noise-free bedroom.