Chapter 4: Consciousness and Its Variations Consciousness Personal awareness of mental activities, internal sensations, and the external

l environment Circadian Rhythm Any rhythmic change that continues at close to a 24-hour cycle in the absence of 24-hour cues body temperature cortisol secretion sleep and wakefulness In the absence of time cues, the cycle period will become somewhat longer than 24 hours. The Bodys Clock Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus that governs the timing of circadian rhythms Melatoninhormone of the pineal gland that produces sleepiness Electroencephalogram (EEG) Electrodes placed on the scalp provide a record of the electrical activity of the brain. Sleep There seem to be two basic types of sleep REM: Rapid eye movement: active sleep which is characterized by heightened brain activity but limp muscles dreaming occurs here Non-REM: quiet sleep because the bodys physiological functions and brain activity slow down during this period Non-REM Sleep - Divided into 4 stages First you are very relaxed but awake (this is not a stage) alpha waves Stage 1: light sleep: theta waves (few minutes) Stage 2: true sleep: sleep spindles and K complexes: delta waves begin here (15 or 20 minutes) Stage 3 and 4: increased delta waves more than 20% of total brain activity in stage 3 more than 50% in stage 4 very deep sleep Stages of Sleep One full cycle (Stages 1,2,3,4,3,2,REM) takes about 90 minutes Four or five sleep cycles occur in a typical nights sleep; less time is spent in slow-wave, more is spent in REM

REM Sleep Although brain is active, voluntary muscle activity is suppressed. We stay in REM sleep longer throughout the night We seem to need it because we will make up for it if we miss it Sleep Deprivation Most need around 8 hours of sleep a night Disruptions in mood, mental abilities, reaction time, perceptual skills, and complex motor skills occur with sleep deprivation. Most people are not good at judging the extent to which their performance is impaired by inadequate sleep. Effects of Sleep Deprivation Moods become more volatile Harmful changes in levels of stress hormones Immune system compromised Dreams and REM Sleep 1. Psychoanalytic Interpretation a. Manifest contentelements of the dream that are consciously experienced and remembered b. Latent contentthe unconscious wishes that are concealed in the manifest content c. Dreams as wish fulfillments 2. Problem Solving Theory a. Dream are not a disguise but a message b. extension of waking life 3. Memory Consolidation a. sifts through, discards, stores, and organizes memories 4. Activation Synthesis Model a. Brain activity during sleep produces dream images (activation) that are combined by the brain into a dream story (synthesis). b. Meaning is to be found by analyzing the way the dreamer makes sense of the progression of chaotic dream images. Sleep Disorders Insomniainability to fall asleep or stay asleep REM sleep disordersleeper acts out his or her dreams Narcolepsyoverpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up Sleep apneafailure to breathe when asleep Hypnosis State of awareness Highly focused attention Increased responsiveness to suggestion Vivid imagery Willingness to accept distortions of logic

Alteration of sensation and perception

Theories of Hypnosis Neodissociation theory: consciousness splits into two streams of mental activity - only one of which the person is aware hidden observer Social Role theory: Playing the role of a hypnotized subject (not acting) Psychoactive Drugs Depressantsinhibit brain activity Opiatespain relief and euphoria Stimulantsincrease brain activity Psychedelicsdistort sensory perceptions Common Properties 1. Physical dependence: person has physically adapted to the drug and now has to take it regularly in order to avoid withdrawal 2. Withdrawal symptoms: unpleasant physical reactions combined with intense drug cravings - occurs when one tries to quit using the drug 3. Drug tolerance: increasing amounts of the drug are needed to produce the original, desired effect 4. Drug Abuse: Recurrent drug use that results in disruption of academic, social, or occupational functioning, or in legal or psychological problems. Depressants inhibit brain activity AlcoholCNS depressant Barbituratesinduce sleep Tranquilizersrelieve anxiety Effects of Alcohol About 17 million Americans have problems with alcohol. 50% of all homicides, assaults, and highway fatalities involve alcohol 2/3 of all cases of spousal abuse and violent child abuse leading cause of birth defects and mental retardation Alcohol poisoning is a serious and sometimes deadly consequence of consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. Critical Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused Vomiting Seizures

Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute). Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths) Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

Opiates - relieves pain and produces euphoria Chemically similar to morphine and have strong pain-relieving properties Mimic the brains endorphins Very severe withdrawal Heroin, methadone Percodan, Demerol Stimulants increase nervous system functioning Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamines Cocaine Amphetamines Methamphetamine is highly addictive Can cause extensive brain damage and tissue loss. Destroys the neurotransmitter Dopamine Causes memory, motor skill and social skill problems. Depression, emotional instability, and impulsive and violent behavior are also common. Psychedelics distort sensory perception Create perceptual distortions Flashback reactions and psychotic episodes Examples: Mescaline, LSD, Marijuana, DMT Marijuana (active ingredient is THC) Tetrahydracannabinol Mimics anandamide works on cannabinoid receptors Causes distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Club Drugs Ecstasy (MDMA)feelings of euphoria, increased well-being has both stimulant and psychedelic effects Side effectsdehydration, hyperthermia, tremor, rapid heartbeat MDMA Methylenedioxymethamphetamine