Transcript Altered states of consciousness (MS)

Meditation
• Method used to try and narrow their awareness of
the stress of the outside world
• In the old days, people gazed upon a lamp or
stare at a pattern
• Now…more contemporary
• Goal is to focus on a peaceful, relaxing pattern
• Helps achieve “oneness” with the universe
• Shown to lower BP, heart rate, respiration rate
Biofeedback
• System that provided information about something
that is happening in the body
• People learn how to control bodily functions
• Certain machines can help people control bodies
• Only use when supervised!!!
Hypnosis
• What is it?
• Altered state of consciousness during
which people respond to suggestions
and behave as though they are in a
trance
Hypnosis
• How is it achieved??
• Focus on something specific
• People can only be hypnotized if they
believe in the process
Hypnosis
• How can we explain hypnosis?
• Freud
• We enjoy being taken back to a child-like state
• We like to be told what to do
• Role Theory
• We become engrossed in playing a part
– Something that is out of our character
Hypnosis
• How is hypnosis used in Psychology??
• Memory
– Used to jog memories
• Ex. Witnesses to crime
• Deemed useless in court
• People often do not remember being
hypnotized
Hypnosis
• Hypnosis and Pain Prevention
• Dentists and surgeons use to calm patients
Hypnosis
Quitting Habits
-Suggest things during hypnosis
-Usually associate something repulsive or
disgusting with the unwanted habit
DRUGS & CONSCIOUSNESS
Altered States of Consciousness
DRUG or SUBSTANCE USE
can cause…
• Stimulation or a distortion of
consciousness
• Distorted perception(s)
• Change in moods
• Etc.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
• Pattern of use that diminishes
ability to fulfill responsibilities &
meet the demands of life
DEPRESSANTS
• ALCOHOL
• In small doses… relaxing
• In large doses… puts a person to sleep
• Often slurs speech, blurs vision, and
you may become clumsy
• Leaves you unable to focus on
behavior
DEPRESSANTS
• Narcotics
• Addictive depressants used to relieve pain
• Ex.
• Morphine (Originally used during Civil War)
• Heroine (Used to cure morphine addiction)
• Codeine (derived from the Poppy Seed)
STIMULANTS
• INCREASE ACTIVITY OF
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
STIMULANTS
• NICOTINE
• Most commonly used stimulant
• Can cause adrenaline rush
• You become attentive and alert
• Negative health impact
STIMULANTS
• Amphetamines
• Help people stay awake
• Effects
– Experience hallucinations and delusions
– HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND DANGEROUS
STIMULANTS
• Cocaine
• Raises Blood Pressure, decreases
supply of oxygen to the heart
DRUG TYPES
• Hallucinogens
• Distort visual
& auditory
perceptions
• Types
• LSD – “acid”
• PCP – “angel
dust”
• Marijuana
• Hash
HALLUCINOGINS
INCREASE HEART RATE
Can cause anxiety and confusion
Treatments
• Detoxification (A.k.a Detox)
• Various attempts to get a substance out of your
system to allow normal functioning
• Maintenance Programs
• Used for narcotics
• Subjects given controlled amounts of drug
• Controversial
Treatments
• Counseling
• Individual or group
• Used for stimulant and depressant addiction
• Support Groups
• Share experiences for emotional and moral
support
• Ex. AA