UNIT 2 CONSCIOUSNESS & SLEEP States of Consciousness o

PSYC 2000

CH 4

Consciousnessawareness of ourselves and the environment. Awareness requires our attention. Waking consciousness is where our thoughts are clear

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Alternative states of consciousness happen naturally (sleep) or be artificially induced (hypnosis & drugs) We spend 1/3 of our lives asleep, but theres no real reason why we sleep or dream.

Biological Rhythms o Circadian rhythms(roughly) 24 hour cycle includes sleep & wakefulness controlled by hypothalamus

aka Biological clock can be altered with artificial light Circadian rhythms are like neurotransmitters (they are released in the blood) Melatonin is released in the blood and makes a person sleepy melatonin stops secreting when someone wakes

Sleep o Stages of Sleep We move from awake & alert awake but relaxed asleep The five stages are based on the amount of brain activity Composed of theta, alpha, beta, and delta waves

About every 90 minutes, we pass through a cycle of 5 stages of sleep. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

UNIT 2 o Awake & Alert o REM

PSYC 2000

CH 4

When mentally engages, the brain gives off low amplitude, fast and irregular BETA WAVES Awake people involved in conversation show beta activity Beta waves are small, fast, and are inconsistent patterned.

Awake but Relaxed When an individual closes his eyes but remains awake, their brain activity slows to a large amplitude and slow, regular ALPHA WAVES. Meditators exhibit alpha brain activity

Stage 1 & 2early light sleep Brain enters high-amplitude, slow, regular wave (THETA WAVES) Day dreamers show theta activity

Stage 1a gradual stage. If awoken, people dont even know they were asleep Aka Twilight timeusually lasts 10 minutes During stage 1, people sometimes experience HYPNOGOGIC SENSATIONS or HYPNIC JERKSthese are images resembling hallucinations, happening without a sensory stimulus o o No one knows why this happens, but people think your muscles relax and your brain thinks youre falling. This happens more often to people with fatigue and anxiety

Stage 2harder sleep that usually lasts about 20 minutes

Stage 3 & 4deepest sleep Brain activity slows down Large-amplitude, slow DELTA WAVES Stage 3beginning of deep sleep; 30-45 minutes after you fall asleep Stage 4body is at lowest level of functioning. If awoken, you will be in a stage of oblivion, grogginess, and disorientation

UNIT 2 o Stage 5: REM Sleep

PSYC 2000

CH 4

REM= Rapid Eye Movement ~~~After stage 4, sleep goes back to 3, 2, and 1~~~ Our minds become more active90% of our dreams take place in REM sleep. They seem more vivid & seem to last longer. Our muscles are more relaxed Brain engages in low-amplitude, fast and regular BETA WAVESmuch like an awake-aroused state

UNIT 2

PSYC 2000

CH 4

90-minute Cycles during sleep o With each 90-minute cycle, stage 4 decreases & the duration of REM sleep increases

Why do we sleep? o Theories for sleep: 1. Sleep Protectssleeping in the dark when predators were out protected our ancestors from harm. 2. Sleep Recuperatessleep helps restore and repair brain tissue (chemicals that are used up during the day are replenished and repaired) 3. Sleep helps rememberingsleep restores and rebuilds our fading memories 4. Sleep & Growthwhile youre asleep, the pituitary gland releases a growth hormone. This happens more in children (which is why they need more sleep) than in older people (who tend to sleep lessthats why your grandparents are always up so early).

If we dont sleep... o Results of sleep deprivation: Fatigue and subsequent death.

UNIT 2

PSYC 2000 Impaired concentration. Emotional Irritability Depressed Immune System Greater chance to be obese. Increase in driver/ equipment error

CH 4

Sleep Disorders o Insomniaproblems falling & staying asleep People suffering from insomnia tend to sleep less. Sleeping pills & alcohol do not help o They reduce REM & rebound insomnia

Narcolepsyperiodic & overwhelming sleepiness People tend to fall straight into REM sleep and not the other stages Its very dangerous for narcoleptics to drive because they can easily fall asleep at the wheel

Sleep Apneafrequent periods where people stop breathing in their sleep Accompanied by snoring More common in obese people Can lead to heart problems

Night Terrors Mostly children Occurs in stage 4 sleep Theyre not nightmares (because theyre not during REM sleep)

People may sit up, walk around, or talk incoherently. Night terrors double your heart rate & breathing, just like you do when youre terrified Not many people remember what happened, but they know it was scary

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism) & Sleep-talking

UNIT 2 Hypnosis o Facts: Occurs in stage 4

PSYC 2000

CH 4

20% of people do thismost commonly young boys

Almost anyone can be hypnotized to some extent. People can only be hypnotized if theyre alert, wake, and willing.

Hypnotized people are NOT acting against their will. Hypnosis is NOT useful for remembering forgotten memories But it can be therapeutic (helps some people relax &/ alleviate pain)

Theories: Divided Consciousness Theory Hypnosis might be a special case of dissociated (divided) consciousness Hypnosis only takes over one part of the mind; the other part is aware. (Ex: like when youre thinking about other things while drivingyou zone out but you still get to where youre going because of your conscious mind)

Social Influence Theory Hypnotized people just go along with it and act like they are hypnotized

Psychoactive Drugs o Drugs can affect us because of their structure and shape allows them to attach to receptors in our brains that are meant for substances that the body produces naturally o These drugs enter our systems, get filtered into our blood, and are eventually brought to the brain where they act on our receptors Agonists & antagonists

Psychoactive substancessubstance that alters mood or behavior Can range from alcohol, to cocaine, to even chocolate

Substance usemoderate use of substance that does not interfere with normal functioning

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PSYC 2000 Substance intoxicationphysiological reaction to substance ingestion (the feeling one gets when messed up) Drug Dependence

CH 4

Physical dependencecondition where the body becomes unable to function without a particular drug The person starts to crave the drug Drug Tolerancewhen you need more of a drug to feel the same amount as you did with a little bit. This happens when people do drugs more often and they build a tolerance for it. Withdrawaldeprivation of a drug causes headaches, nausea, cramps, and anxiety

Psychological dependencebelief that a drug is needed to continue your emotional/psychological well-being You think you need this drug

Substance categories Depressantsdecrease functioning of nervous system Result in behavioral sedation Includes: o Alcohol 23% Americans report binge drinking (4-5 drinks) in the past month 42.4% college students report binge drinking in the past month 15 million US adults are alcohol dependent They drink alone, drink and regret, black out, etc.

Drinking at an early age (11-14) can later cause alcohol use disorders The rate of which your stomach absorbs the alcohol depends on many factors (food in your stomach, weight, height, alcohols concentration) Alcohol is metabolized in liver; the liver can metabolize 1 drink per hour

UNIT 2

PSYC 2000 One drink= o o o 12 oz. beer (4-5% alcohol) 4 oz. wine 1 oz. liquor

CH 4

Short term effects include relaxation, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and an unsteady gait

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)= % of total alcohol in blood .03-.08you feel euphoric (may have problems with judgment, motor skills, and paying attention) .09-.25you have sensory problems (vision gets blurry), poor judgment, motor skills, and cant pay attention .18-.30confusion, dizziness, agitation .25-.40state of stupor, your movement is severely impaired, and you may lapse in & out of consciousness .35-.50unconsciousness and possibly death

Alcohol is commonly mistaken as a stimulant Health problems/long term effects: Liver disease Pancreatitis Cardiovascular disorders Brain damage Dementia Korsakoffs syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)pregnant women who drink

Withdrawal symptoms are very severe and potentially lethal

UNIT 2 o

PSYC 2000 Sedatives, Hypnotics, & Anxiolytics Give calming effects Prescribed for sleeping & anxiety problems Common types: Stimulants Cause people to be more active, alert, and happier Speeds up your nervous system, & your heart rate increases Most commonly used class of psychoactive drugs in US Includes: o Amphetamines Made in labs, do not occur naturally

CH 4

Barbituratesmajor tranquilizersleeping pills, addictive Benzodiazepinesminor tranquilizer common include xanax

Often help people to lose weight or stay awake for a long time Taken for various reasons Drugs include: Ritalin Ecstasy Crystal Meth Speed Diet pills

These lift your mood, but then you crash and become depressed or tired Symptoms: Pupil dilation, chills, nausea, confusion, impaired judgment & functioning, euphoria, seizures Tolerances build quickly

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PSYC 2000 Cocaine Effects & symptoms similar to amphetamines Additional symptoms: Paranoia in 2/3 users Irregular heart beat

CH 4

Short lived effects Withdrawal Swing into depression Extreme apathy & boredom

Cocaine was originally an ingredient in Coca-Cola and was used for medication

Nicotine MOST ADDICTIVE 25% all Americans smoke daily 38.5% adults ages 18-24

Inhaled into the lungs, enters bloodstream 7-19 seconds later, nicotine enters the brain

Withdrawal: depression, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, concentration problems, hunger 1215 deaths daily in US ~= to 3 747 jets crashing a day

14,000 deaths daily worldwide ~= to 30 747 jets crashing daily

Relapse 60-98% of people who quit smoking eventually smoke again The urge increases around people and social functions

Nicotine is considered the easiest substance to get hooked on and the hardest to quit

UNIT 2 o

PSYC 2000

CH 4

Its more powerful than heroin and more difficult to quit

Caffeine Found in coffee beans, soda, tea, etc. 90% Americans use caffeine Most commonly used stimulant Elevates mood, prevents fatigue Withdrawals: headache, drowsiness, grumpy

Narcotics (opiates) Derived from opium (plant) Suppresses pain by binding to and stimulating our endorphins Usually are injected, but can be smoked, snorted, or taken through the mouth Ex: Morphine, heroin Immediate effects: dreamlike euphoria o Duplicates the actions of endorphins

Long-term changes in mood & sleep o The body stops producing natural endorphins

High dosage can lead to comas &/ convulsions Increased risk of AIDS, violence, and suicide

Hallucinogenscause hallucinations Psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (hallucinations) Strong chemical resemblance to serotonin, achieves effects by interacting with serotonin receptors Responses to drug range from euphoria to anxiety/panic Make it hard to distinguish between reality and fiction Manufactured hallucinogens: o LSD

UNIT 2 o PCP

PSYC 2000

CH 4

Marijuana o o o Most commonly used illegal drug THCactive ingredient Immediate effects: relaxation, happiness, some feel anxious or panickycan cause short term memory problems Can create powerful psychological dependence 3rd most common dependency in US Currently illegal in almost every country in world, but sometimes decriminalized

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