States of Consciousness

Consciousness – the awareness of ourselves and our environment – Ex: Altered States – unaware of ourselves and our environment – Ex:

How do we know it’s an altered state?

Levels of Consciousness We know that various levels exists beyond the conscious level.

Biological Rhythms 24 hour cycle: 90 minute cycle: sleep cycles.

Sleep Circadian Rhythm – – Sleep, Temperature, Thinking – Melatonin – – Suprachiasmatic nucleus – in hypothalamus causes pineal gland to produce melatonin When light strikes the retina the hypothalamus’ SCN production of melatonin by the Decreasing light causes the SCN to production of melatonin, leading you to sleep

Circadian Rhythm

Body Temp – Thinking sharpest, memory most accurate at Circadian rhythm is affected by Artificial light and dark cave

Sleep Awake Beta waves - Alpha waves - the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, Conscious Sleep –

Sleep Cycle 5 Stages of Sleep Takes about minutes to pass through the 5 stages. Brain’s waves will change according to the sleep stage NREM - REM - Click to see an awake brain.

Stage 1 – Stage 1: Slow breathing, irregular heart beat hallucinations – Hypnagogic sensations – Alpha & Theta waves

Stage 2 Begins 20 min. into sleep Theta Waves that get progressively slower. sleep spindles – Gets longer throughout the night

Stages 3 Slow wave sleep. Theta & Delta waves. – Delta waves – Lasts about 30 min Difficult to awaken Vital for restoring body’s growth hormones and good overall health. as the night goes on

Stage 4 Delta waves. Lasts about 30 min Difficult to awaken Night Terrors – – Seldom wakeup fully – Not nightmares (REM) as the night goes on Start to ascend back through stage 3, 2, then….. *Sleep talking can occur at any stage of sleep

REM Sleep Rapid Eye Movement – Paradoxical sleep – 90 min. - Gets longer throughout the night Dreams occur during REM Genital arousal REM Rebound

Typical Nights Sleep

Stages of Sleep

Sleep Stages Alpha waves Theta waves

Why Do We Sleep? Variations in sleeping patterns Cultural influences Sleep debt

The Effects of Sleep Loss US Navy and NIH studies – Allowed to sleep unencumbered ….__________/night felt energized and happier Age and sleep loss – Teens need _________ hrs if not, function below peak Chronic sleep loss

The Effects of Sleep Loss Spring and fall time changes

Sleep Theories Sleep theories

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Insomnia – Effects 10% of the population Primary versus Secondary Insomnia

Narcolepsy Narcolepsy – Directly into REM sleep Less than.001 % of population. Click above to see Skeeter the narcoleptic dog.

Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnea – – Wake up momentarily,, then falls back asleep. – Very common, especially in. – Can be fatal.

Night Terrors Night Terrors – Not a nightmare. Most common in children (boys) between ages 2-8.

Somnambulism Somnambulism – Most often occurs during the first few hours of sleeping and in __________ (deep sleep). If you have had night terrors, you are more likely to sleep walk when older.

Dreams Theories

Freud’s Theory of Dreams Dreams are a roadway into our unconscious. Manifest Content - Latent Content -

Activation-Synthesis Theory Activation- Synthesis theory – Why dreams sometimes make no sense. Biological Theory -

Information-Processing Theory Information – Processing Theory – We tend to dream more when we are more stressed.

Physiological Function Theory Physiological Function Theory -

A Lifetime of Sleep

Cognitive Development Theory Cognitive Development Theory –

Critical Considerations: Does not address the neuroscience of dreams.

REM Rebound REM Rebound – Dreaming serves a biological function YOU need your REM SLEEP!

Hypnosis A heightened openness to suggestion

Hypnosis Hypnosis – – Responsive to hypnosis if Rich to and to be hypnotized Posthypnotic suggestion –

Research on Hypnosis Age-Regressed suggestion - – People act as they believe children would, but children. Hypnotically “Refreshed” memories – Memories retrieved from hypnosis are combination of Social influence Theory (our behaviors are influenced by others) - acting out role of – No more likely to perform dangerous acts than

Hypnotic Theories 1. Role Theory Hypnosis is NOT an altered state of consciousness. Different people have various state Social influence theory - A social phenomenon where people want to believe Good Involves conscious Would show no changes in Work better on people with richer lives. SPANOS 2. State Theory Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. – Distinctive accompanies hypnosis – Would see changes on Dramatic health benefits It works for best.

Divided Consciousness Theory 3.Divided Consciousness Theory/Dissociation Theory ( Ernest Hilgard) - Ice Water Experiment. Participant dissociates pain sensation from emotional suffering Most lifted finger if some No of pain

Practical Uses of Hypnosis Hypnotic analgesia – – fMRI’s show reduction in – HOW? Distracting attention or, Gate Control Theory, but not Relieved, asthma, stress related skin disorders, Useful in treating