Dreams are one altered state of consciousness, but there are more. Meditation is a method used by some people to try to narrow their consciousness so that the stresses of the outside world fade away.

All techniques focus on a peaceful, repetitive stimulus. It helps people relax and narrow their consciousness. It is an important part of some religions and it can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate.

Biofeedback is a system that provides information about something happening in the body. People can learn to control bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and even control tension headaches. They learn to create alpha waves, but must be done under medical supervision.

Hypnosis – Psychologists disagree about whether it is an “altered state of consciousness” during which people respond to suggestions and behave as though they are in a trance. Developed by Franz Mesmer in late 1700’s, it is used today to reduce anxiety, manage pain, overcome fears, and as anesthetic in certain surgeries.

Hypnosis is not sleep, but hearing the word “sleep” may help put people in trance due to hypnotic suggestibility. To help someone quit a habit, therapists may use posthypnotic suggestion. Often, the habit is linked with something repulsive.

Drugs may distort people’s perceptions, change their moods, or cause them to see or hear things that are not real. Depressants – drugs that slow the activity of the nervous system which include alcohol and narcotics. Alcohol in small amounts may make a person relax or sleep, but in larger amounts it can kill someone.

It has been estimated that the average American college student drinks more than 34 gallons of alcohol yearly, predominantly beer. Alcohol is the cause of more than 50% of all fatal accidents. One “drink” is considered 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of hard liquor (50 proof). Females do not metabolize alcohol as quickly as males.

Narcotics are addictive depressants that have been used to relieve pain and induce sleep. Many (morphine, heroine, codeine) are derived from the poppy plant. People addicted to narcotics experience withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, cramps, chills, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Stimulants increase the activity of nervous system. They speed up heart and breathing rate. Nicotine, the drug found in tobacco leaves, is one of the most common stimulants. It spurs the release of the hormone adrenaline, which causes the heart rate to increase.

Cigarette smoking is as addictive as heroin. Stopping can cause nervousness, drowsiness, loss of energy, headaches, and other side- effects. Each year more than 400,000 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses more than number who die from car accidents, alcohol/drug abuse, suicide, homicide, and AIDS combined.

Caffeine – is the world’s most popular drug. It blocks the effects of adenosine, a chemical in our brain that induces sleep. Regular consumption of caffeine interferes with the sleep cycle, thus making you more tired during the day. Consequently, you are more apt to reach for caffeine during the day as a needed pick-me-up.

People can become addicted to caffeine rather quickly. As little as 100 mg a day will induce dependence. Amount of caffeine in common products include:

6 oz of brewed coffee (100 mg) 6 oz of brewed tea (40 mg) 12 oz of Coke (47 mg) 12 oz of Dr. Pepper (61 mg) 6 oz of chocolate milk (4 mg) 8 oz of Red Bull (80 mg) 1.5 oz of dark chocolate (30 mg) 1.5 oz of milk chocolate (10 mg)

Amphetamines are known for helping people stay awake and for reducing appetite. They are made from a colorless liquid composed of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Also called “speed” and “uppers”, they can be taken in the form of pills or injected directly into the vein.

People crash at end of high and fall into deep sleep or depression.Some users commit suicide. It can cause hallucinations (bugs crawling on them) or delusions (flying without aid of airplane). Cocaine – a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant which grows in South America. Produces feelings of pleasure, reduces hunger, deadens pain, and boosts self- confidence.

It can sometimes lead to death because it raises blood pressure and speeds up heart rate, but decreases supply of oxygen to heart.

Hallucinogens – drugs that produce hallucinations and may cause feelings of relaxation and pleasure or feelings of panic. Marijuana – produced from the leaves of cannabis sativa. Produces feelings of relaxation and mild hallucinations.

Hashish, or hash, is made from the sticky part of the plant and has stronger effects. Impairs perception and coordination, memory and learning. People with high blood pressure or heart problems are at risk because it increases the heart rate up to 140 – 150 beats per minute and can cause anxiety and confusion.

Marijuana cigarettes yield almost 4 times as much tar as tobacco cigarettes. Regular use dulls emotions and suppresses the immune system. Marijuana is fat soluble, unlike alcohol which metabolizes rather quickly. It can be detected for up to a month in the body. Long-term use can result in chromosomal damage.

LSD – Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, sometimes called acid. Invented by Albert Hoffman in 1938, by accident. Much stronger than marijuana. Produces intense and sometimes bizarre hallucinations. Users claim that it expands their consciousness and they achieve great insights, but once the drug wears off, they are often unable to recall or use these discoveries.

Sometimes effects are so extreme that users injure themselves or commit suicide in state of panic and confusion. Memory loss, violent outbursts, nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of panic are lasting side effects.

Treatment: Detoxification – the removal of harmful substances from the body. Most common for alcoholics and narcotic addicts. Maintenance Programs – participants are given controlled and less dangerous amounts of the drug or some less addictive substitute. Sometimes used for narcotics addicts.

Counseling – individual and group methods used for treating stimulant and depressant abuse. Support Groups – consist of several people who share common experiences, concerns, or problems. Group setting provides emotional and moral support.