Hypnosis Originated by Franz Mesmer in the 18th century, it is described as being a trance-like state of heightened susceptibility to the suggestions of others Applications Controlling pain Reducing smoking Treating psychological disorders Assisting law enforcement Improving athletic performance It is only recently that hypnotism has become an area considered worthy of scientific investigation. In part, the initial rejection of hypnosis relates to its bizarre 18th century origins, in which Franz Mesmer argued that a form of “animal magnetism” could be used to influence people and cure their illnesses. People under hypnosis are in a trance-like state of heightened susceptibility to the suggestions of others. In some respects, it appears that they are asleep. Yet other aspects of their behavior contradict this notion, for people are attentive to the hypnotist’s suggestions and may carry out bizarre or silly suggestions. Despite their compliance when hypnotized, people do not lose all will of their own. There are wide variations in people’s susceptibility to hypnosis. About 5 to 20 percent of the population cannot be hypnotized at all, while some 15 percent are very easily hypnotized. The question of whether hypnosis is a state of consciousness that is qualitatively different from normal waking consciousness is controversial. Psychologist Ernest Hilgard presented one side of the argument when he argued convincingly that hypnosis represents a state of consciousness that differs significantly from other states. On the other side of the controversy were theorists who rejected the notion that hypnosis is a significantly different state of consciousness from normal waking consciousness. They argued that altered brain wave patterns are not sufficient to demonstrate a qualitative difference, given that no other specific physiological changes occur when a person is in a trance.

Hypnosis Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened suggestibility The hypnotic state is characterized by Narrow and focused attention Imagination and hallucinations Passive receptive attitude Reduced reaction to pain Heightened suggestibility

Myths of Hypnosis People can be hypnotized against their will People will do immoral things while hypnotized Hypnosis improves memory recall Hypnotized persons have special strength Hypnosis involves a form of role playing

PRIMARY FOCUS: USING AND OBTAINING THE DRUG Physical Dependence Psychological Dependence PRIMARY FOCUS: USING AND OBTAINING THE DRUG

Drug Action on Neurons

TOLERANCE

Alcohol & College 90% of College Students drink, 75% every month 50% had 5 or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks College students drink more than youths who end their education at h.s. American college students consume 4 billion cans of beer a year D or F average = 10.6 drinks per week A or B average = 3 drinks per week 95% of violent crime on campus is alcohol-related Students in Northeast drink more than those in the South or West 73% of the assailants and 55% of the victims of rape had used alcohol or other drugs

Date Rape Drugs What should you know? Rohypnol: legally prescribed in 64 countries as a preoperative anesthetic. Never approved for use in the United States. Become a Party Drug in 1990’s-tasteless, oderless, colorless: Within 15 minutes sedation, a feeling of well-being, short-term memory loss. AKA “roofies” and “roches” for $1 or $2 a pill. DEA: Documented 2460 federal, state, local cases in 32 states. Schedule 1 drug: 10 yr. Prison term for smuggling.

Huichol Mexican Indian Embroidery Patterns

Addictive Personality? Factors in Drug Use Nature of the Drug: Intense and Fast? Crack over Cocaine Painful Withdrawal Symptoms: Continued Use Alcoholic Parent & other Genetic Factors: Some people experience the highs/lows more intensely. Psychological Factors: Depression, low self-esteem, powerlessness, absence of values. Social Factors: Environment that offers few opportunities or alternative pleasures (urban slums, prisons, war zones. Social Norms: Ok to drink in the evening on Friday with friends but not on Monday night alone.

Drug Legalization? Anti-drug laws create a worse problem: violent crime. $8 Billion spent on drug enforcement could be spent on education/treatment Latin American criminals make $2billion/yr off of U.S. Drug use. Government has no business telling citizens what they may or may not put in their bodies. Alcohol/tobacco destroy far more people Legalization would produce increase in drug abuse. Costs of drug abuse would skyrocket (Currently $99billion is spent on alcohol related problems and $50 billion on tobacco-related medical costs). Legalization would send the message that drug use/abuse is o.k. Legalizing drugs would be a death warrent for the lower socioeconomic classes. Crime would continue, users would still need money, and few addicts would hold down jobs and would turn to crime.