Chapter 5

Consciousness

• Consciousness is an awareness of our internal and external stimuli

• Variations in consciousness are measured with an EEG (electroencephalogram)– EEG patterns vary by level of consciousness• Beta Waves = Awake and REM• Alpha Waves = Relaxed/Drowsy• Theta Waves = Light Sleep• Delta Waves = Deep Sleep

Biological Rhythms

• Periodic fluctuations in physiological functioning– These are our “biological clocks”– One type is the circadian rhythm • 24-hour biological cycle

Circadian Rhythm• The hormone melatonin regulates your

circadian rhythms• If you ignore/disrupt it, your sleep will suffer– Example “jet lag” from flying across time zones

Sleep

• Sleep is not just one event, but a series of stages– Stages 1-4 & REM– In this order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 5 (REM)

• We go through these stages about every 90 minutes

Stage 1

• Kind of awake, kind of asleep• Hypnic jerks/ myoclonic jerks

common in this stage• Only lasts a few minutes• Usually only once a night• Theta Waves

Stage 2

• Theta Waves get slower• Lasts about 10 minutes• Begin to show sleep spindles– short bursts of rapid brain

waves

Stages 3 and 4• Slow wave sleep

– Delta waves

• If awoken you will be very groggy

• About 30 minutes• Essential for restoring body’s

growth hormones and overall health– From stage 4, your brain begins

to speed up – You go back to stage 3– Then 2… – Then…

REM Sleep• Rapid Eye Movement• Often called paradoxical sleep

– Beta Waves– Brain is very active, as if you were

awake

• Dreams usually occur in REM• Body is essentially paralyzed (REM

atonia)– Body stops releasing serotonin,

histamines, and norepinephrine• Prevents you from moving during

REM sleep• If it doesn’t, you will move while in

REM sleep

• If deprived of REM, the next time we sleep we go into REM rebound

Sleep Cycles

Waves Mnemonic

• Be• Aware• That• Sleep• Demands• Bed

• Beta• Alpha• Theta• Spindles• Delta• Beta

Age & REM

Why We Sleep

• We spend 1/3 of our lives asleep; so why do we sleep?– Sleep protected our ancestors from harm– Sleep helps restore and repair brain tissue– Sleep restores and rebuilds our fading memories– Sleep allows the pituitary gland to release human

growth hormone

Sleep Deprivation

• Fatigue• Impaired concentration,

speech, & motor functioning

• Emotional irritability• Depressed immune

system• Death

Amount Of Sleep

Why We Dream• Wish Fulfillment– Freud suggested that dreams provide a safe way to express

our unacceptable unconscious desires– Manifest Content– Latent Content

• Cognitive Theory– A way to deal with the stresses of everyday life and/or engage

in creative thinking to solve a problem• This is why we tend to dream more when we are stressed

• Activation-Synthesis Theory– Our brain is trying to interpret the random electrical activity

we have while sleeping• This is why dreams sometimes make no sense

Sleep DisordersDisorder DescriptionInsomnia •Persistent problems falling asleep or staying asleep

•Effects 10% of the populationNarcolepsy •Fall asleep at unpredictable or inappropriate times

•Directly into REM sleep•Less than .001 % of population

Sleep apnea •A person stops breathing during their sleep•Wake up momentarily, gasps for air, then falls back asleep•Very common, especially in heavy males•Can be fatal

Nightmares •Frightening dreams that wake a sleeper from REM•Persistent nightmares reflect psychological disturbance

Night terrors •Wake up screaming and have no idea why•Not a nightmare; happens during SWS•Most common in children (boys) between ages 2-8

Somnambulism •Sleep-walking•Most often occurs during the first few hours of sleeping and in stage 4 (deep sleep)•If you have had night terrors, you are more likely to sleep walk when older

Somniloquy •Sleep-talking•4% of adults; 50% of children

Hypnosis

• A systematic procedure that may produce a heightened state of suggestibility– Different people have various

states of hypnotic suggestibility• Works better on people who are:

– imaginative– easily absorbed in experiences

Hypnotic Phenomenon

• Anesthesia• Sensory distortions and

hallucinations• Disinhibition• Posthypnotic suggestion– Must be willing

• Posthypnotic amnesia– Most people actually

remember

Theories of Hypnosis

Role-Playing Theory• AKA Social Cognitive

Behavior Theory– Hypnosis is NOT an altered

state of consciousness.

• Its a social phenomenon where people want to believe

• Who?

Dissociation Theory• AKA Divided Consciousness

Theory– Hypnosis is an altered state of

consciousness

• Dramatic health benefits– It works best for pain

• Who?

Meditation

• Practices that train your attention to heighten awareness and control

• Many health benefits• Alpha waves– Relaxed state

Drugs

• Can be agonists, antagonists, or reuptake inhibitors

• If a drug is used often, a tolerance is created for the drug– You need more of the drug to feel the same effect

• Physiological & psychological dependence– If you stop using a drug you can develop

withdrawal symptoms– Leads to addiction

Psychoactive Drugs• Drugs that act on the nervous system to alter

consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods.

• 3 Types: 1. Depressants- drugs that slow down mental and

physical activity2. Stimulants- drugs that increase central nervous

system activity3. Hallucinogens- drugs that modify a person’s

perceptual experiences• Also called Psychedelics

DepressantsType Category Drugs Effects Side-Effects

Depressants Narcotics/Opiates

MorphineHeroineOpiumMethdoneCodeine

EuphoriaRelaxationAnxiety

reductionReduced

inhibitionPain relief

(narcotics)

LethargyDrowsinessImpaired coordinationImpaired mental functioningConstipation (narcotics)Mood swings (Sedatives)Dejection (Sedatives)Sedatives Barbituates

Nonbarbituates

Alcohol

Severely impaired coordinationImparired mental functioningIncreased urinationMood swingsDepressionQuarrelsomenessHangover

StimulantsType Category Drugs Effects Side-Effects

Stimulant

s

Stimulants

CocaineMethamphetamineCaffeineNicotineEcstasy (MDMA)

ElationExcitementIncreased

alertnessIncreased

energyReduced

fatigue

Increased blood pressure

Increased heart rateIncreased talkativenessRestlessnessInsomniaReduced appetiteIncreased sweating &

urinationAnxietyParanoiaIncrease aggressivenessPanic

HallucinogensType Category Drugs Effects Side-Effects

Hallucinogenic

HallucinogensLSDMescalinPsilocybin

Increased sensory awarenessEuphoriaAltered perceptionHallucinationsInsightful experiences

Dialated pupilsNauseaMood swingsParanoiaJumbled thinkingImpaired judgmentAnxietyPanic reactionDehydration (MDMA)Overheating (MDMA)

CannabisMarijuanaHashishTHC

Mild euphoriaRelaxationAltered perceptionsEnhanced awareness

Bloodshot eyesDry mouthReduced STMSluggish motor coordinationSluggish mental functioningAnxiety