Transcript Notes from Chapter 5

Notes from Chapter 5
Psychology
Meditation

Method people use to try to narrow their
consciousness so that the stresses of the
outside world fade away.
Meditation
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
Part of some religious
rituals
Helps people relax
Helps lower Blood
Pressure rate, heart
rate, and respiration
rate
Biofeedback
System that
provides, or
“feedsback”,
information
about something
happening in the
body.
Biofeedback

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
People can control body functions (i.e.
heart rate)
Produce alpha waves (relaxed) to cope
with tension
People have learned to treat tension
headaches, lower heart rate, and blood
pressure.
Hypnosis
 Altered
State of
consciousness
during which
people respond
to suggestions
and behave as
though they
are in a trance.
Hypnosis

Some psychologists wonder whether
hypnosis truly is an altered state of
consciousness for the following reasons:


Some of the same effects achieved by
hypnosis can also occur without hypnosis.
Brain wave patterns (EEG) show the same
pattern as people who are awake.
Franz Mesmer….
Coined the phrase,
“Mezmerize” in the
1700’s by using
Magnets to cure
His patients of
unwanted aliments.
Hypnotism today….
 Can
be used as an anesthetic,
in surgery.
 Used to reduce anxiety,
manage pain, or overcome
fear.
Drugs and Consciousness
Addiction


In reference to drugs, an addiction means
that after a person takes that drug for a
while, his/her body craves it just to feel
normal.
Alcohol, Nicotine, and other drugs are
addictive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYlwS
epW7Bs
 Distort
Drugs
people’s
perceptions,
change their
moods, or
cause them to
see or hear
things that are
not real.
Depressants


Slows the activity of the nervous system
Alcohol



Small amounts may have little effect or may
be relaxing
Large quantities- Lethal, or put people to
sleep.
Intoxication- Drunkenness. Slurring of
speech, blurred vision, clumsy, and difficult to
concentrate. People may not realize they are
intoxicated.
Depressants
 Regular
consumption
of alcohol can lead to
addiction. Withdrawal
symptoms of an
alcoholic are tension
and trembling.
Depressants

Narcotics- addictive depressants that
have been used to relieve pain and induce
sleep. (Many derived from opium plant)


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Morphine- Civil war, Soldiers disease was an
addiction to Morphine.
Heroin- “Heroic”; feelings of pleasure to
deep depression. Impairs judgment/memory
causes drowsiness, can lead to loss of
consciousness, coma, and death.
Codeine
Depressants

Withdrawal symptoms of Narcotics are:

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
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Tremors
Cramps
Chills
Rapid Heartbeat
Insomnia
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stimulants

Increase the activity of the nervous
system. Speed up the heart and breathing
rate. Stimulants include:



Nicotine
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Stimulants

Nicotine

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
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Found in tobacco leaves
Releases the hormone adrenaline
Heart rate goes up
Raises rate body changes food to energy
Smokers don’t quit because of fear of gaining
weight
Addictive as heroin
Associated with serious health risks
Stimulants

Health risks for smokers:

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10 x likely to die of lung cancer
Heart disease
Respiratory diseases
Premature babies
Second hand smoke for other non smokers
Stimulants

Amphetamines are known for helping
people stay awake and for reducing
appetite.

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First used in WWII to help soldiers stay awake
during battle.
“Speed” “Uppers”- pleasure in high doses
Given through pills and injections
Stimulants

Amphetamines side effects:

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May stay awake for days/usually “crash” after
that high.
High doses, insomnia, loss of appetite,
irritability
Can experience hallucinations.
Can experience delusions.
Stimulants


Hallucination- a perception of a object
or a sound that seems real, but is not.
For example, someone seeing thousands
of bugs crawling on them.
Stimulants
Delusions- false idea that seems
real.
 For example: thinking you can fly.

Stimulants

Cocaine


From leaves of the cocoa plant
Produces feelings of pleasure, reduces
hunger, deadens pain, boosts self confidence.
Physically:
Blood pressure increases
 Oxygen supplies decrease
 Speed up heart rate

Stimulants



Cocaine is addictive and dangerous.
Freud first praised cocaine then realized
addiction and the danger of the drug.
Crack is a form of cocaine. Overdoses and
stronger form, but impure.
Faces of Meth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_NZu
CXofHY
Hallucinogens


Drugs that produces hallucinations, that
may cause relaxation or feelings of
pleasure, could cause panic.
Marijuana- from the leaves of the
cannabis sativa plant


Feelings of relaxation and mild hallucinations
Hash comes from the sticky part of the plant.
(stronger then marijuana)
Hallucinogens

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Marijuana-impairs
perception/coordination making it difficult
to operate machines (cars).
Anxiety and confusion
Threat to people with high blood pressure
Effect on consciousness:

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Time is passing by slowly
Increased bodily sensations
Visual hallucinations (fear of losing
yourselves)
Hallucinogens

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LSD- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Nickname: “Acid”

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Intense hallucinations
Sometimes makes the user believe they have
expanded their consciousness, believe they
have achieved great insights
Effects are unpredictable: people injure
themselves and commit suicide.
Soldiers on LSD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF8cjIl
vgv0
Hallucinogens

Effects of LSD:
 Memory loss
 Violent outbursts
 Nightmares
 Feelings of panic
 Flashbacks
 These are hallucinations that
happen weeks, months, or years
after taking the drug.
Woodstock Trips…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV0A
AF17LsI
Treatments for Drug Abuse


Detoxification- removal of the harmful
substance from the body, weaning addicts
from the drug while restoring their health.
Most commonly used with people addicted
to alcohol and narcotics.
Treatments for Drug Abuse

Maintenance Programs-
(narcotics users)
 Given controlled and less
dangerous amounts of the
drug or some less addictive
substance.
 Controversial because users
never become completely drug
free.
Treatments for Drug Abuse
 Counseling-
individual or
group.
Stimulant and
depressant
abuse
Treatments for Drug Abuse

Support groups- several people
who share common experiences,
concerns, or problems. Emotional and
moral support.