Arousal refers to the physiological and psychological state of being awake and responsive to stimuli. It is linked to the activation level of the central nervous system.
Related terms
Sleep: The state of reduced consciousness and decreased responsiveness to external stimuli.
Stress: The body's response to challenges or threats that can lead to increased arousal levels.
Activation-synthesis theory: A theory that suggests dreams are a result of random neural activity during sleep, which the brain then tries to make sense of.