Altering Consciousness

Agenda 1. Bell Ringer: Altered States Crash Course (11) 2. Altering Consciousness (20) 3. Video Clip: Heroin and Overdose Effects (10) 4. Drug Chart (15) Which is the worst? 5. Penny for thoughts Results/Discussion (20)

Meditation Combines refocusing attention with relaxation

Hypnosis A state of heightened suggestibility Discovered by Anton Mesmer (formerly called mesmerism)

Hypnosis A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggested to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur. Those who practice hypnosis agree that its power resides in the subject’s openness to suggestion.

Questions about Hypnosis Can anyone experience hypnosis? Can hypnosis enhance recall of forgotten events? Can hypnosis force people to act against their will? Can hypnosis alleviate pain? Yes, to some extent NO NO Yes

Explaining the Hypnotized State Social Influence theory – subjects may simply be imaginative actors playing a social role Divided consciousness theory – hypnosis is a special state of dissociated (divided) consciousness (Hilgard)

What is the most common method of deliberately altering consciousness? Ingesting psychoactive drugs, a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood thus affecting consciousness

Addiction is a craving for a chemical substance, despite its adverse consequences.

The continued use of a psychoactive drug produces tolerance The continued use of a psychoactive drug produces tolerance. With repeated exposure to a drug, the drug’s effect lessens. Thus it takes greater quantities to get the desired effect.

Withdrawal – upon stopping use of a drug (after addiction), users may experience undesirable effects Dependence: Absence of a drug may lead to feeling of physical pain and intense cravings. This is physical dependence. Absence of a drug may lead to negative emotions. This is psychological dependence.

Psychoactive Drugs are divided into three groups: Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens

Drugs that temporarily excite the nervous system and arouse body functions are stimulants. Stimulants excite neural activity and speed up body functions (increase heart rate and breathing, pupils dilate, appetite decreases, lose weight, stay awake more, boost mood and performance.)

Examples of stimulants: Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamines: speed or ice methamphetamines Cocaine Ecstasy (MDMA)

Most widely used stimulant… caffeine.

Caffeine and nicotine increase heart and breathing rates and other autonomic functions to provide energy.

Why do people smoke? 1) It is socially rewarding. 2) It is result of genetic factors. 3) Nicotine takes away unpleasant cravings by triggering epinephrine, dopamine, and endorphins. 4) It provides positive reinforcement.

Activity for Friday. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/mouse/

Cocaine induces immediate euphoria followed by a crash Cocaine induces immediate euphoria followed by a crash. Crack, a form of cocaine, can be smoked. Other forms of cocaine can be sniffed or injected. Cocaine blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The extra neurotransmitter molecules stay in the synapse, intensifying normal mood-altering effects and producing a euphoric rush. When the level drops, the absence of these neurotransmitters produces a crash.

Ecstasy or methylenedioxymethamphet (MDMA) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogen it produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing neurons, producing permanent deflation of mood and impairment of memory.

* General adverse effects of stimulants: Anxiety Restlessness Insomnia Irritability Seizures

Drugs used to calm/reduce neural activity and slow body functions are… depressants.

Types of Depressants: Alcohol Barbiturates/tranquilizers Opiates / morphine or heroin

Most common depressant is alcohol.

Alcohol affects motor skills, judgment, and memory… Alcohol affects motor skills, judgment, and memory…. and increases aggressiveness while reducing self awareness.

Barbiturates are drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment. Opiates such as opium and its derivatives depress neural activity temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

Common adverse Effects of Depressants: Depression Memory loss Impaired reactions Organ damage

Drugs that are psychedelic or “mind manifesting” drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images are… hallucinogens. Psychedelics – alter perception Chemically similar to serotonin so blocks it action

Two well known hallucinogens: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamid) or acid THC is the major active ingredient in marijuana (hemp plant) Also falls into this category: Ecstasy (MDMA)

Most widely used illegal drug is… marijuana.

Common Adverse Effects of Hallucinogens: Disrupted memory Emotional variations from euphoria to panic Hallucinations that may cause self-inflicting harm Lung damage

Serotonin and dopamine. Most psychoactive drugs are chemically similar to or affect the neurotransmitters… Serotonin and dopamine.

The graph below shows the percentage of US high school seniors reporting the use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine from the 1970s to late 1990s.

Influences on Drug use The use of drugs is based on biological, psychological, or social-cultural influences.

Near Death Experiences After a close brush with death, many people report an experience of moving through a dark tunnel with a light at the end of the tunnel. Under the influence of hallucinogens, others report bright lights at the center of their visual field.

Chart Activity Using Pages 294-301, your group will be responsible for one section of drugs. After eight minutes, groups will trade off members, and they will fill in the rest of the chart using information presented by other members in the class.

Penny for your Thoughts You will be divided by location. (Front Door, Cafeteria, Hallway, Bus Loop) etc. Within your segment, all groups should do the following: Compare and discuss data, how did it differ? Which ways were utilized to gain the information? Is it a reliable survey? What was the most common message heard from Males? Females? Any really odd messages?