What state results from the inhibition of thermoregulatory mechanisms during REM sleep?

The correct choice relates directly to how the body regulates temperature during REM sleep. During this phase, the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms are inhibited, which means it loses the ability to maintain a stable internal temperature. This dysregulation results in poikilothermia, a condition where the body's temperature fluctuates and is often influenced by the ambient environment rather than maintained at a constant level.

In contrast, hypothermia describes a state where the body temperature drops significantly below normal, typically as a result of prolonged exposure to cold. Hyperthermia refers to an elevated body temperature due to an inability to dissipate heat, commonly seen during excessive exercise or exposure to high temperatures. Normothermia indicates a normal and stable body temperature, which is not applicable in this context since the inhibition of thermoregulation during REM sleep prevents the maintenance of a normothermic state. Thus, poikilothermia is the result of the body's inability to effectively manage its temperature during REM sleep.