Transcript Chapter 5: States of Consciousness

Chapter 5: States of
Consciousness
Nathan Jacquez
Sleep
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Circadian rhythm.
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The biological clock.
The suprachiasmatic
nucleus (SCN) is in the
hypothalamus and increases
or decreases the secretion of
melatonin from the pineal
gland.
Light also affects the
circadian rhythm and
secretion of melatonin.
Sleep Stages
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Nathaniel Kleitman and
Aserinsky used an EEG to
discover the stages of sleep.
Being aware produces alpha
waves.
Stage One sleep shows theta
waves.
Stage Two shows sleep
spindles (bursts of activity).
Stages Three and four show
delta waves.
REM sleep (paradoxical
sleep) occurs after each
stage is complete.
Sleep Loss
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Causes fatigue and impairs
concentration, creativity, and
communication.
Leads to obesity,
hypertension, a suppressed
immune system, irritability,
and slowed performance.
Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin
and decreases leptin.
Increases cortisol, which increases
stress and stimulates
the body to make fat.
Functions of Sleep
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Protection: our ancestors lived longer when not traveling at
night and instead sleeping in a cave.
Recuperation: repairs brain tissue
and lessens the production of
free radicals.
Making memories: restores and
rebuilds our fading memories.
Creative thinking: sleep boost to learning
and thinking.
Growing: pituitary gland releases a growth hormone during
sleep.
Sleep Disorders
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Insomnia: recurring problems in staying or falling asleep.
How to prevent it:
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Exercise regularly (late afternoon is the best)
Avoid caffeine
Relax before bedtime
Sleep schedule
Manage stress levels
Go to bed earlier or later
Sleep Disorders
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Narcolepsy: uncontrollable sleep attacks.
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Attacks usually last five minutes but often occur at inopportune times.
People with severe cases may drop directly
into REM sleep.
Occurs 1 in every 2000 of us.
Why does it happen?
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Absence of orexin which is linked to
alertness.
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It is a brain disease, not “in your mind.”
Sleep Disorders
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Sleep apnea: temporary cessation or breathing during sleep
and repeated momentary awakenings.
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Associated with obesity.
Night terrors: high arousal and an
appearance of being terrified during
sleep.
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Occurs during stage 4 sleep, as well as
sleepwalking, within two or three hours
of falling asleep.
Not usually remembered.
Dreams
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Five major views of the functions of dreams:
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1. Freudian: safety valve, manifest content, and latent content.
2. Information-processing: sort out the day and fix them in memories.
3. Brain stimulation: preserve neural pathways in the brain.
4. Activation-synthesis: make sense of neural static.
5. Brain-maturation/cognitive-development: represent levels of
development, knowledge, and understanding.
Occurs during REM sleep.
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REM rebound.
Hypnosis
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Social interaction in which
one person suggests to
another the certain
perceptions, feelings,
thoughts, or behaviors will
spontaneously occur.
Does not enhance the recall
of forgotten events.
Can help relieve pain.
Posthypnotic suggestions
have helped people harness
their own healing powers.
Mind over body.
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Some psychologists say
hypnosis is dissociation,
which is a split between
normal sensations and
conscious awareness.
Others say it is just a social
phenomenon due to social
influence.
Some even say there is a
unified approach.
Combining social influence
and dissociation.
Drugs and Consciousness
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Psychoactive drugs are
chemicals that alter
perceptions and moods.
Tolerance is the diminishing
effect with regular use of the
same dose of a drug, requiring
the user to take larger doses
before experiencing the drug’s
effect.
Withdrawal is the discomfort
and distress that follow
discontinuing the drug’s effect.
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Physical dependence is a
physiological need for a drug.
Psychological dependence is a
psychological need for a drug.
Addiction is a compulsive
craving for a substance
despite adverse consequences.
Depressants
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Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
Alcohol
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Disinhibition
Slowed neural processing
Memory disruption
Reduced self-awareness and
self-control
Expectancy: if you believe that you
have been drinking alcohol, you will
act like it.
Depressants
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Barbiturates- tranquilizers
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Reduces anxiety and impairs memory.
Mimic the effects of alcohol.
Sometimes used to induce sleep, but
can cause death in large doses.
Opiates- opium
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Reduce anxiety and pain.
Heroin and narcotics.
Short-term pleasure but a long-term price.
Brain stops producing endorphins.
Stimulants
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Methamphetamines excite neural
activity and speed up body
functions
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May cause permanently depressed
dopamine level functioning.
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Caffeine is the world’s most widely
consumed psychoactive substance.
Nicotine
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Cocaine
As powerfully and quickly addictive as
heroin and cocaine.
Releases epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
Enters bloodstream quickly
resulting in euphoria. Blocks
reuptake of dopamine,
norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Ecstasy or MDMA
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A stimulant and a mild
hallucinogen.
Triggers dopamine release and
blocks reabsorption of serotonin.
Can lead to severe overheating,
increased blood pressure, and death.
Can damage serotonin-producing
neurons.
Suppresses immune system, impairs
memory, and disrupts sleep.
Hallucinogens
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Psychedelic drugs that distort
perceptions and evoke sensory images
in the absence of sensory input.
LSD
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Near-death experience
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Discovered by Albert Hoffmann
Extremely hallucinogenic
Similar to serotonin
An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with
death. Similar to drug-induced hallucinations.
Marijuana
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THC triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations.
Relaxes, disinhibits, and may produce a euphoric high.
Impairs motor coordination, perceptual skills, and reaction time.
Influences on Drug Use
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Biological Influences
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Psychological Influences
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More susceptible to alcohol
dependence if one or both biological
parents have a history of it.
Identical twin has alcohol dependence.
Some genes do predispose people to
alcohol dependence.
Feeling that one’s life is meaningless.
Significant stress.
Social-Cultural Influences
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Peers/friends