Altered States of Consciousness PSYCHOLOGY Altered States of Consciousness

Waking Consciousness Consciousness our awareness of ourselves and our environments

Sleep and Dreams Circadian Rhythm the biological clock Based on the light/dark schedule regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle, such as of wakefulness and body temperature

Sleep and Dreams Sleep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep recurring sleep stage vivid dreams This stage gets longer as you sleep “paradoxical sleep” muscles are generally relaxed, but other body systems are active

Brain Waves and Sleep Stages Stage 1 – You experience hallucinations, such as floating, weightlessness, knee jerks, etc. (5-10 minutes) Stage 2 – You are now actually asleep. Bursts of wave activity, drop in body temp, slow heart rate Stage 3 – Your brain starts showing large and slow delta waves at which you are hard to wake. DEEP SLEEP Stage 4 – You are now in deep sleep and the brain shows even more delta waves. Sleepwalking and bedwetting After stage four your body goes back to stage 3 then stage 2 and then you enter REM sleep.

Brain Waves and Sleep Stages Alpha Waves slow waves of a relaxed, awake brain Delta Waves large, slow waves of deep sleep Hallucinations false sensory experiences

Stages in a Typical Night’s Sleep 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sleep stages Awake Hours of sleep REM

Stages in a Typical Night’s Sleep Hours of sleep Minutes of Stage 4 and REM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 15 20 25 Decreasing Stage 4 Increasing

Sleep Across the Lifespan

Sleep Deprivation Effects of Sleep Loss fatigue impaired concentration depressed immune system greater vulnerability to accidents

Dreams REM Rebound REM sleep increases following REM sleep deprivation

Sleep Deprivation Spring time change (hour sleep loss) 2,400 2,700 2,600 2,500 2,800 Spring time change (hour sleep loss) 3,600 4,200 4000 3,800 Fall time change (hour sleep gained) Less sleep, more accidents More sleep, fewer accidents Monday before time change Monday after time change Accident frequency

Sleep Disorders Insomnia Narcolepsy Sleep Apnea persistent problems in falling or staying asleep Narcolepsy uncontrollable sleep attacks Sleep Apnea temporary cessation of breathing momentary reawakenings

Night Terrors and Nightmares 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sleep stages Awake Hours of sleep REM Night Terrors occur within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, usually during Stage 4 high arousal-- appearance of being terrified

Dreams: Freud Sigmund Freud--The Interpretation of Dreams (1900) wish fulfillment discharge otherwise unacceptable feelings

Dreams: Freud Dreams sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind hallucinatory imagery discontinuities incongruities delusional acceptance of the content difficulties remembering

Have you ever dreamed about this man?

Hypnosis Hypnosis Posthypnotic Amnesia a social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur Posthypnotic Amnesia supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis induced by the hypnotist’s suggestion

Hypnosis Posthypnotic Suggestion suggestion to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized used by some clinicians to control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Hypnosis Dissociation Hidden Observer a split in consciousness allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others Hidden Observer Hilgard’s term describing a hypnotized subject’s awareness of experiences, such as pain, that go unreported during hypnosis

Explaining Hypnosis

Near-Death Experiences an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Near-Death Experiences Dualism the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact Monism the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing

Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drug a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood Physical Dependence physiological need for a drug marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms Psychological Dependence a psychological need to use a drug for example, to relieve negative emotions

Dependence (4 of the following 7 symptoms) Developing a tolerance Experiencing withdrawal Using substance for a longer period or in greater quantities than intended Presence of a desire or repeated attempts to cut back on use Spending a lot of time using/obtaining the substance Reduction or cessation of usual activities Continued use despite awareness of drug’s harmful effects

Dependence and Addiction Small Large Drug dose Little effect Big Drug Response to first exposure After repeated exposure, more drug is needed to produce same effect Tolerance diminishing effect with regular use Withdrawal discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use

Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Stimulants drugs that reduce neural activity slow body functions alcohol, barbiturates, opiates Stimulants drugs that excite neural activity speed up body functions caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, Methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy ,

Depressants - Alcohol Most used psychoactive drug in Western societies Although most often used in moderation, about 14 million Americans have problems with alcohol Men are three times more likely to be problem drinkers

Alcohol Highly addictive Even moderate amounts can affect Perception Motor processes Memory Judgment Visual acuity Depth perception Cognitive functioning

Alcohol Overall effect is to calm the nervous system Sometimes perceived as a stimulant because it relaxes inhibitions

Stimulants - Caffeine Naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate Also added to soft drinks and pain medications Increases alertness In high doses, caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, and insomnia

Nicotine Found in tobacco Considered by many to be the most addictive stimulant in use today Affects levels of several neurotransmitters Depending on amount and time smoked, can have either sedative or stimulating effects Can lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms, including nervousness, headaches, and irritability

Psychoactive Drugs Barbiturates drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment Usually taken as anti-depressants or to help calm nerves. Effects are similar to alcohol

Opiates From the opium poppy Heroin is the major opiate Opiates resemble endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers Causes euphoria followed by clouded mental functioning

Psychoactive Drugs Amphetamines drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing sped-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes Adderall

Amphetamines Forms can include methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA) Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen Even short-term use of ecstasy may have long-term consequences

Cocaine Blocks reabsorption of dopamine Produces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoria Crash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings

Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic state Can result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression

Marijuana THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such as Mild hallucinations Euphoria Enhanced sense of well-being Relaxation Distortion of time Some users may experience anxiety and paranoia

Psychoactive Drugs

Explaining Abuse and Addiction Biological factors Some people may be genetically predisposed to addiction Dopamine reward circuit Psychological, social, and cultural factors Expectations, social setting, and cultural beliefs and values can affect usage patterns Attitudes and beliefs about drug use may come from family environment

Trends in Drug Use Year 80% 70 60 50 High school seniors 40 reporting 1975 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99 Year 80% 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 High school seniors reporting drug use Alcohol Marijuana Cocaine

Perceived Marijuana Risk ‘75 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99 Year 100% 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Percent of twelfth graders Perceived “great risk of harm” in marijuana use Used marijuana