Do people in comas enter the sleep stages?

My layperson’s opinion is that some people who are in a coma may experience some form of dream-like state while in the coma, but the majority of people who are in a coma do not enter the typical stages of sleep. read more

During a coma, a person is unresponsive to his or her environment. The person is alive and looks like he or she is sleeping. However, unlike in a deep sleep, the person cannot be awakened by any stimulation, including pain. read more

Comas are usually caused by brain injuries or other severe trauma. They are largely a mystery and people can emerge from comas at times unforeseen by doctors. Healing can occur during a coma, but it appears to be a slow process. People in a coma do not demonstrate external signs of sleep. read more