States of Consciousness, Chapters 7, 9, and 10

Levels of Consciousness Conscious Level – the information about yourself and your environment you are currently aware of. Your conscious level right now is probably focusing on these words and their meanings Nonconscious Level – Body processes controlled by your mind that we are not usually (or ever) aware of. Right now, your non nonconscious is controlling your heartbeat, respiration, digestion, and so on

Levels of Consciousness Preconscious Level – Information about yourself or your environment that you are not currently thinking about (not in your conscious level) but you could be. If I asked you to remember your favorite childhood toy, you could bring that preconscious memory into your conscious level. Subconscious Level – Information that we are not consciously aware of but we know must exist due to behavior. The behaviors demonstrated in examples of priming and mere-exposure effect suggest some information is accessible to this level of consciousness but not to our conscious level. Unconscious Level – Psychoanalytic psychologists believe some events and feelings are unacceptable to out conscious mind and are repressed into our unconscious mind.

Sleep Definition: Innate, biological rhythm One of many routines influenced by certain rhythms in our environment 24-hour days and 365.24 days Light Temperature Seasonal rhythms Pineal gland Circadian rhythm (wake and sleep)

Why is sleep important? To rest and repair (physically and mentally) To consolidate memories and skills Necessary for brain development To twitch?? The young twitch more Neurogenesis Protective

Measuring Sleep Changes Electroencephalograph (EEG) Beta Waves: Small fast waves associated with alertness and awakeness Alpha Waves: Large, slow waves associated with relaxation and falling asleep

Stages of Sleep Stage 1: Alpha and theta waves produced in light sleep Hypnic Jerk: Reflex muscle twitch throughout body that may occur Stage 2: Deeper sleep; sleep spindles (distinctive brain- wave activity of half second or longer) and K-complex (spikes) appear Stage 3: Deeper sleep; Delta waves appear (very large and slow), breathing regular, BP falls. Stage 4: Deepest level of normal sleep; almost purely Delta waves (50%) – less blood flow to the brain

States of Sleep (REM & Non-REM) Non-REM (NREM) Sleep: Occurs during stages 1, 2, 3, and 4; no rapid eye movement occurs. Rapid Eye Movements (REM): Associated with dreaming; sleep is very light. REM Behavioral Disorder.

Sleep Disorders Sleep Deprivation: Sleep loss Sleep-Deprivation Psychosis: could occur because of sleep loss Hypersomnia: Excessive daytime sleepiness Insomnia: Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep, or waking early Drug-Dependency Insomnia: withdrawal from sleeping pills Temporary Insomnia: Brief period of sleeplessness caused by worry, stress, and excitement. Chronic Insomnia: Exists if sleeping troubles last for more than three weeks.

Other Sleep Disturbances Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): Occurs in NREM sleep during Stages 3 and 4 Sleeptalking: Speaking while asleep; occurs in NREM sleep Night Terrors: Total panic and hallucinations may occur Sleep Apnea: Interrupted breathing during sleep; cause of very loud snoring

Dreams REM Rebound: Extra rapid eye movement sleep following REM sleep deprivation Consolidation of memories Psychodynamic (Freudian) Theory: Emphasizes internal conflicts, motives, and unconscious forces Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis: Dream content may be affected by motor commands in the brain (that occur during sleep) that are not carried out. Dreams are random electrical brain impulses.

Drugs Psychoactive Drug: Substance capable of altering behavior Stimulant: Substance that increases activity in body and nervous system Depressant: Substance that decreases activity in body and nervous system Hallucinogen: Substance that alters or distorts sensory perceptions

Physical & Psychological Dependence Physical Dependence: Addiction based on drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms Drug Tolerance: Reduction in body’s response to a drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical illness following withdrawal of the drug Psychological Dependence: Drug dependence based on psychological or emotional needs

Stimulants Amphetamine: Synthetic stimulants that excite nervous system Dexedrine and Methamphetamine MDMA (Ecstasy): Chemically similar to amphetamine Tolerance is build rapidly Affect Norepinephrine & Dopamine Amphetamine Psychosis: Loss of contact with reality because of amphetamine use Cocaine: Central Nervous System stimulant derived from leaves of coca plant; also used as local anesthetic Highly addictive drug Anhedonia Common after cocaine withdrawal Affects DA and noradrenalin

Caffeine Most frequently used psychoactive drug Causes hand tremors, sweating, talkativeness, tinnitus, suppresses fatigue or sleepiness, increases alertness Caffeinism: Physiological dependence on caffeine Withdrawal: Insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, chills, racing heart, elevated body temperature

Nicotine Natural stimulant found mainly in tobacco May cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, tremors Highly Addictive Responsible for 97% of lung cancer deaths in men, 74% in women

Depressants Barbiturates: Sedative drugs that depress brain activity Induce sleep, promote talkativeness, social interaction Benzodiazepines : Lower anxiety & tension Safer than Barbiturates Rohypnol: Related to Valium; lowers inhibitions and produces relaxation or intoxication. Larger doses can induce short-term amnesia and sleep Drug Interaction: One drug increases the effect of another GHB: depressant that relaxes and sedates; combination of degreasing solvent and drain cleaner

Alcohol NOT a stimulant but DOES lower inhibitions Ethyl Alcohol: Intoxicating element in fermented and distilled liquors NOT a stimulant but DOES lower inhibitions Depressant-impacts glutamate, serotonin and dopamine Binge Drinking: Five or more drinks in a short time; four or more for women - Serious sign of alcohol abuse

How a Drinking Problem May Develop (Jellinek, 1960) Initial Phase: Social drinker turns to alcohol to relieve tension or feel good Crucial Phase: Person begins to lose control over drinking Chronic Phase: Person is now alcohol dependent

Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Detoxification: Withdrawal of the person from alcohol; occurs in a medical setting and is tightly controlled; often necessary before long-term treatment begins Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Worldwide self-help organization composed of recovering alcoholics; emphasizes admitting powerlessness over alcohol usage and wanting to recover.

Hallucinogens (Psychedelic) Hallucinogen: Substance that alters or distorts sensory perceptions – similar in structure to Serotonin Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): Hallucinogen that can produce hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) PCP (Angel Dust): Initially can have hallucinogenic effects; also an anesthetic and has stimulant and depressant effects – inhibit glutamate, blocks Dopamine

Marijuana Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana; Pot): Leaves and flowers of the hemp plant Active chemical: THC Effects: Relaxation, time distortion, perceptual distortions Both Psychological and physiological dependence

Some Health Risks of Using Marijuana Causes precancerous changes in lung cells. Can suppress immune system, perhaps increasing risk of disease. Activity levels in the cerebellum are lower than normal in pot users. Pot may damage some of the brain’s memory centers.