1. Altered States of Consciousness
Chapter 7
Altered States of Consciousness

2. Section 1 - Sleep and Dreams
We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping
Sleep is a state of altered consciousness characterized by brain activity
Consciousness - state of awareness, many levels of this
Why we sleep? Theories
Charge our batteries
Conserve energy
Night pattern - historically to keep us safe
Clear our minds of useless information

3. Stages of Sleep Awake state (beta brain waves - rapid)
EEG - measures brain waves
Stage 1 - Theta brain waves - fairly alert , just before going to sleep. Breathing irregular, twilight state - electrical activity in the brain slows, images and thoughts of the day.
Lasts about 10 minutes

4. Stages
Stage 2 and 3 - higher amplitude, lower frequency brain waves - increasingly deeper sleep
Stage 4 - deepest sleep (delta brain waves - slow, lazy brain waves). About an hour after you fall asleep. Talking and walking in your sleep and bed wetting occur during this stage but not remembered.

5. Stages
After you hit stage 4 you will go to REM sleep - Rapid Eye Movement or dream sleep and back REM - pulse increases, breathing irregular, increase in adrenal glands and hormones
When REM is over you go backwards to 1 again
Go through the sleep cycle every 90 minutes
Length of REM increases until you finally wake up
75 % of sleep is in NREM

6. Sect. 1 (Sleep) Nightmares - unpleasant dreams (REM)
Night terrors - sleep disruptions that occur during Stage 4 - screaming, panic, confusion
Dreams - everyone dreams, many don’t remember them
First dreams of the night - day’s activities
Later more explicit, longer especially those in REM

7. Sect. 1 cont.
Circadian rhythm - the rhythm of activity lasting one day
Biological clock programmed to regulate responses
Our cycle is hours
Sleep Disorders -
Insomnia - prolonged inability to sleep
Sleep Apnea - trouble breathing while asleep, usually a physical problem, snoring is a sign
Narcolepsy - falling asleep or feeling sleepy

8. Sect. 2 - hypnosis, biofeedback, and meditation
Hypnosis - state of consciousness, not sleep / narrowed attention / suggestible
Theories of hypnosis
1. Theodore Barber - not a special state of consciousness but the power of suggestion
2. Ernest Hilgard - special hypnotic state
Neodissociation theory - you are reporting what’s happening in your inner self
3. Accepting the role the hypnotist is giving you

9. Section 2 continued
Posthypnotic suggestion - hypnosis influences later behavior , like smoking
Biofeedback - control bodily states with machines
Try to keep heart rate below 80 by keeping a light off a machine
Meditation - attention to clear mind and produce relaxation

10. Section 3 - Drugs and Consciousness
Psychoactive drug - chemicals that affect the nervous system and alter consciousness
Ranging from caffeine to LSD
Like hormones, drugs are carried by blood to various parts of the body
Hook on to nerve cells and begin sending their own messages

11. Drugs Marijuana - dried leaves of hemp (cannabis)
THC - active ingredient
Not physically addictive but psychologically - creates dependency
Lowers IQ and hinders memory
Hallucinations - perceptions that have no direct external cause
Hallucinogens - drugs that produce the above
LSD - potential psychedelic drug that distorts perception

12. Other drugs Opiates - narcotics
Opium , morphine, heroine and pain reduction - causes physical addiction
Alcohol - most widely used and abused drug

13. Effects of drugs on the human body