Consciousness Unit 5 Consciousness Modules 23-26

Consciousness Altered state of consciousness (ASC) Module 23: States of Consciousness

Consciousness Consciousness and culture –Throughout history, people have found ways to alter consciousness –Meaning varies greatly –Cultural conditioning greatly affects how we perceive altered states States of Consciousness

Consciousness Theories of Hypnosis –Dissociative state (Highway hypnosis) –Hidden observer –Nonstate Hypnotic susceptibility States of Consciousness

Consciousness

Effects of hypnosis –Strength –Memory –Amnesia –Pain relief –Age regression –Sensory changes Hypnosis

Consciousness Concentrative meditation Mindfulness meditation –Mantra Relaxation response Meditation

Consciousness Benefits –Sensory enhancement –Relaxation Sensory Deprivation (SD)

Consciousness

Mindfulness and well-being –Open, nonjudgmental awareness of current experience –Associated with self-knowledge and well-being –Research: cancer patients Hypnosis, Meditation, and Sensory Deprivation

Consciousness Sleep is an innate biological rhythm Hypersomnia Microsleep Sleep deprivation Sleep-deprivation psychosis Module 24: Sleep and Dreams

Consciousness Sleep-waking cycle –Circadian rhythms Sleep patterns –Short sleepers (less than five hours/night) –Long sleepers (over nine hours/night) Sleep

Consciousness

Brain wave patterns

Consciousness Measuring sleep changes –Electroencephalograph (EEG), measures brain wave patterns in CPS (Cycles per second) –Beta waves (13-24 CPS) –Alpha waves (8-12 CPS) –Theta waves (4-7 CPS) –Delta waves (less than 4 CPS) Sleep

Consciousness Stages of Sleep –Stage 1: Hypnic jerk –Stage 2: Sleep spindles –Stage 3: Delta waves –Stage 4: Purely delta waves Sleep

Consciousness The dual process hypothesis of sleep –Rapid eye movement (REM) Dreaming Muscle paralysis REM behavioral disorder Hypnopompic hallucinations –Non-REM (NREM) sleep Stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 Dream-free most of the time, but dreams can and do occur in NREM sleep Sleep

Consciousness

Insomnia –Temporary insomnia –Drug-dependency insomnia –Chronic insomnia Sleep Disorders and Disturbances

Consciousness Behavioral remedies for insomnia –Stimulus control –Sleep restriction –Paradoxical intention –Relaxation –Exercise –Food intake –Avoid stimulants Sleep Disturbances

Consciousness Sleepwalking (somnambulism) Sleeptalking Sleepsex - sexsomnia Sleep Disturbances

Consciousness

Nightmares and night terrors –Nightmares Imagery rehearsal –Night terrors Total panic with hallucinations of frightening dream images Sleep Disturbances

Consciousness Sleep apnea –Repeated interrupted breathing during sleep –Treated by surgery, weight loss, breathing mask Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) –Sudden and unexplained death –Crib death –“Back to Sleep” Sleep Disturbances

Consciousness

Narcolepsy –Sudden, irresistible sleep attacks Cataplexy –Sudden temporary paralysis of muscles Sodium oxybate Sleep Disturbances

Consciousness A humorous example of narcolepsy

Consciousness Dreaming –Most dream four or five times a night –Non-dreamers –Most dreams reflect everyday events Dreams –About 90 minutes apart –Dreams occur in real time REM rebound Dreams – A Separate Reality

Consciousness Psychodynamic dream theory (Freud) Wish fulfillment Dream symbols –Manifest content –Latent content Dreams Theories

Consciousness Activation-synthesis hypothesis (Hobson & McCarley) –Dream content affected by motor commands in the brain during sleep that are not carried out –During REM sleep Several lower brain centers are “turned on” (activated) Brain searches through stored memories and manufactures (synthesizes) a dream Dreams Theories

Consciousness Neurocognitive dream theory (Domhoff) –Dreams have more in common with waking thoughts and emotions –Dreams are a conscious expression of REM sleep processes –Sorting and storing daily experiences Dreams Theories

Consciousness Psychoactive drug –Substance capable of altering consciousness Stimulant –Increases activity in body and nervous system Depressant –Decreases activity in body and nervous system Module 25: Psychoactive Drugs

Consciousness

Drug Dependence –Physical dependence Drug tolerance Withdrawal symptoms –Psychological dependence Dependence based on psychological or emotional needs Drug-Altered Consciousness

Consciousness Patterns of Abuse –Experimental –Social-recreational –Situational –Intensive –Compulsive Polydrug abuse Drug-Altered Consciousness

Consciousness Amphetamine –Dexedrine –Methamphetamine –Adderall and Ritalin –Amphetamine psychosis –The visible impact of crystal meth useThe visible impact of crystal meth use Cocaine –Leaves of coca plant –Increases dopamine and noradrenaline –Anhedonia Uppers

Consciousness MDMA (Ecstasy) –Methylenedioxymethamphetamine –Chemically similar to amphetamine –Repeated use damages serotonergic brain cells Caffeine –Causes tremors, sweating, talkativeness, tinnitus –Suppresses fatigue or sleepiness –Hazardous to pregnant women if used excessively –Caffeinism Uppers

Consciousness Nicotine –Natural stimulant found mainly in tobacco –Known carcinogen –Addictive –Lung cancer deaths –E-cigarettes “Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body” –Cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and reproductive disorders Uppers

Consciousness Narcotics –Opium poppies –Opium –Morphine –Heroin Methadone Downers

Consciousness Barbiturates –Sedative drugs that depress brain activity –Seconal & Amytal GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate) –CNS depressant that relaxes and sedates –Combination of degreasing solvent and drain cleaner –Inhibits gag reflex –Addictive and deadly Downers

Consciousness Tranquilizers –Lower anxiety and reduce tension –Valium, Xanax, Halcion, and Librium –Rohypnol (“Roofies”) –Physical dependence and severe emotional depression Combining barbiturates with alcohol is risky  Leads to a synergistic effect Downers

Consciousness Alcohol –Ethyl alcohol –Depressant of CNS –Fermented and distilled liquors –NOT a stimulant but DOES lower inhibitions –Sex “Provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance” –Alcohol myopia Downers

Consciousness Patterns of drinking –Binge drinking Consuming 5 or more drinks in a short time –Moderated drinking Drink slowly, eat, limit drinking to first hour of event Downers

Consciousness

Treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence –Detoxification Withdrawal of the person from alcohol –Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Worldwide self-help organization composed of recovering alcoholics –Rational Recovery –Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) Downers

Consciousness Hallucinogen –Substance that alters or distorts sensory impressions Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) –Produce hallucinations and psychotic disturbances in thinking and perception Hallucinogens

Consciousness PCP (angel dust) –Initially can have hallucinogenic effects –Anesthetic with stimulant and depressant effects Mescaline (peyote) Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) Hallucinogens

Consciousness Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) –Active chemical: THC –Relaxation, time distortion, perceptual distortions –Psychologically, NOT physiologically, addictive Hallucinogens

Consciousness Health risks of using marijuana –Increased risk of prostate, lung, and cervical cancer –Suppresses immune system –Affects activity levels in cerebellum –Some evidence it damages brain’s memory functions –Brain inflamation –Sexual dysfunction in men Hallucinogens

Consciousness

Freud –Four dream processes that hide true meanings of dreams Condensation Displacement Symbolization Secondary elaboration Module 26: Exploring and Using Dreams

Consciousness Gestalt therapy: Perls –Special message about what is missing in our lives –Dreams fill in gaps in our personal experience Lucid dreaming –Feel fully awake within the dream and capable of normal thought and action –Can be used for creative problem-solving Dream Work