How many sleep cycles do adults typically experience in one night?

Adults typically experience 4 to 5 sleep cycles in one night. Each sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 to 110 minutes and consists of different stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. As the night progresses, the duration of REM sleep increases while the time spent in deeper stages of non-REM sleep decreases, with cycles repeating throughout the night.

Choosing 4 to 5 cycles reflects a normal range for adults, as many individuals sleep for about 7 to 9 hours per night. This answer aligns with standard sleep research, which indicates that while individual variations exist, the average adult will typically complete this number of cycles during a full night’s rest. The range of cycles accounts for various factors, including age and sleep quality, but 4 to 5 is a commonly accepted average for healthy adult sleep patterns.