States of Consciousness

Introductory Discussion Teams… What exactly is consciousness? How do we explain unconsciousness? How do they differ? Summarize biological and circadian rhythms. Provide examples of each. Provide a synopsis of the sleep cycle and explain how it changes as it progresses. What is the purpose of sleep? Provide multiple explanations. Why do we dream? Come up with 2 theoretical propositions.

Levels of Consciousness We know that various levels exists beyond the conscious level. Mere-exposure effect Priming Effect Blind sight

Levels of Consciousness Conscious Level Nonconscious Level Preconscious Level Subconscious Level Unconscious Level

Consciousness and Information Processing Conscious processing Sequential, relatively slow and limited capacity Unconscious processing: fast processing occurs simultaneously on parallel tracks (not sequential) Example? Meet someone: unconscious, instant reaction to race, gender, appearance- then become aware of our response

Biological Rhythms Bodily (and mental) fluctuations over time Provide an example for each: Annual Cycles Animal hibernation / SAD (humans) Twenty-eight day cycles Women’s menstrual cycle Twenty Four hour cycles Alertness, sleep, body temperature, growth hormone Ninety Minute cycles Sleep stages

Sleep Sleep is a state of consciousness. We are less aware of our surroundings. Circadian Rhythm

Animals and Sleep…. Ferrets-15 Cats-13 Humans-8 Elephants-3 Why the discrepancy in the need for sleep? Smaller animals = higher metabolism, more need for rest, recharging

Circadian Rhythm Light affects Circadian Rhythm, by… The point is… Activating retinal proteins, which… Activates brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus in hypothalamus, which… Activates Pineal Gland, which increases, decreases melatonin (sleep inducing hormone) The point is… Light strongly influences our circadian rhythm, which governs our sleep patterns What else, besides light can alter our circadian rhythm?

Pineal Gland

Sleep Cycle EEG machine measures stages of sleep/ brain waves Click dude for alpha Waves. EEG machine measures stages of sleep/ brain waves

Stage 1 Drowsy… falling into sleep… (5-10 minutes) Once a night… Alpha Waves to Theta waves (high frequency, low amplitude.) “hallucinations”- (dream-like- falling or rising)

Stage 2 Theta waves that (get slower frequency, higher amplitude) Sleep spindles: short bursts of rapid brain waves. 50% of your sleep! Revisit multiple times in sleep cycle

Stages 3 and 4 Delta Waves: (slower wave = deeper sleep) Deep sleep (groggy, disoriented if awakened). Releases child’s growth hormones, restores immune system. Bed wetting, sleepwalking Exercise increases stage 3 and 4! Visit less as night progresses…. Click boys to see deep sleep. From stage 4, your brain begins to speed up and you go to stage 3, then 2….then ……

REM Sleep “Rapid Eye Movement” paradoxical sleep-internally aroused, externally calm… (atonia) Heart rate, breathing, REM, brain waves increase / external paralysis Dream state. (95% of those awakened remember dream) Genital arousal (both genders) REM Rebound 20-25% of night’s sleep! Or 2 hrs/night (6 yrs!) Infants = 8 hrs/night REM Adults 1-2 hrs/night REM

Stages and Brain Waves Stage 1: Alpha to Theta… Stage 2: Theta Stage 3 & 4: Delta 1st ½ of sleep dominated by stage 4 2nd ½ dominated by stage 2 & REM… Deeper the sleep= decrease in frequency of wave, increase in amplitude

Sleep Cycle 90 minute cycle From 1, 2, 3, 4, 3,2, REM… 1st ½ of 90 to get to 4, 2nd ½ to go back.. 4-6 times per night As night progresses, four gets shorter, REM gets longer…

Sleep Deprivation Bank Account / REM Rebound 1 hour sleep deprivation per night = pulling all nighter (1 week duration) Need of sleep depends on circadian rhythm Affects mood, performance, memory, immune system etc.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Persistent problems falling asleep Effects 10% of the population Primary versus Secondary Insomnia Treatments: Behavioral changes, medication Hypersomnia = excessive sleep (12hrs/day)

Narcolepsy Suffer from sleeplessness and may fall asleep at unpredictable or inappropriate times. Directly into REM sleep Less than .001 % of population. The most dangerous! See Skeeter the narcoleptic dog http://www.insideedition.com/videos/3/skeeter,-the-narcoleptic-dog.aspx !

Sleep Apnea A person stops breathing during their sleep. Wake up momentarily, gasps for air, then falls back asleep. Very common, especially in heavy males. Can be fatal. Stresses the heart

Night Terrors Screaming during sleep / physical movement Early in sleep. (2-4 hours into sleep) Most common in children (boys) between ages 2-8. Usually stage 4 sleep

Somnambulism Sleep Walking Occurs mostly during first few hours of sleep Stage 4 If have had night terrors, more likely to sleep walk when older. Most common in children- rare after 40

Theories on Dreams

Freud’s Theory of Dreams Dreams are an expression of the unconscious. Manifest Content (storyline) Latent Content (underlying meaning) Psychological (Psychoanalysis)

Activation-Synthesis Theory Biological Theory. (Dreams mean nothing…) Cerebral Cortex tries to interpret random electrical activity while sleeping. Why dreams sometimes make no sense…

Information-Processing Theory Dreams are a way to processing / dealing with issues of everyday life. Tendancy to dream more when we are more stressed. Integrate new experiences, information into memory

Hypnosis

Hypnosis How do we define hypnosis? Social interaction in which one person (hypnotist) suggests to another (subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts etc. will spontaneously occur.

Hypnosis Altered state of consciousness? Posthypnotic suggestion Posthypnotic amnesia

Hypnotic Theories Role Theory State Theory Hypnosis is NOT an altered state of consciousness. People have various states of hypnotic suggestibility. social influence theory- social phenomenon where people want to believe and thus role play… Work better on people with richer fantasy lives. Hypnosis IS an altered state of consciousness. Dramatic health benefits It works for pain best.

Dissociation Theory Theory by Ernest Hilgard. We voluntarily divide our consciousness up. Sensation of pain vs. perception of pain (PET Scans..) (Perception is blocked) Ice Water Experiment.

Research has shown that… Ability to experience hypnosis does not indicate gullibility or weakness Hypnosis does not increase accuracy of memory Spontaneous posthypnotic amnesia is relatively rare Does not foster a literal reexperiencing of childhood events Hypnotic subjects retain their ability to control behavior, maintain awareness of surroundings Hypnosis is far more effective for acute pain than chronic pain

Drugs and Consciousness

Drugs blood-brain barrier Layer of capillaries in brain designed to block toxins psychoactive drugs Drugs small enough to pass through barrier Psychoactive drugs Define:

Drugs are either…. Tolerance Created by neuroadaptation: brain adapts chemistry to offset drug’s effect) Thus you need more of the drug to feel the same effect. If you stop using a drug you can develop withdrawal symptoms. (Shaking, fever, vomiting)

A Quick Review… Psychoactive drugs operate at the brain’s synapses… (Briefly (generally) explain the process of neurotransmission. What do the following do? Agonists (Reuptake inhibitors) Antagonists Neurotransmitters: Dopamine Serotonin Norepinephrine Endorphins GABA / Glutamate

Depressants Explain how depressants affect nervous system activity and behavior. What types of drugs are classified as depressants?

Depressants Depresses,Slows down CNS. Sedatives /Narcotics barbiturates, opium, heroine, alcohol Disinhibitors Alcohol Effects GABA / Glutamate levels Reduces REM sleep Social disinhibitor Memory loss/ kills brain cells See “Mouse Party”

Alcohol (Depressants cont.) More than 86 billion dollars are spent annually on alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is involved in 60% of ALL crimes. Alcohol is involved in over 70% of sexually related crimes.

Opiates (Depressants cont.) Has depressive and hallucinogenic qualities. Derived from poppy plant. Morphine, heroin, methadone and codeine. (Dopamine: “Mouse Party” Physically addictive

Stimulants Identify the major stimulants and explain how they affect neural activity and behavior.

Stimulants Excites neural activity (CNS). More powerful ones (like cocaine) give people feelings of invincibility.

Stimulants Chief Characteristics… Caffeine (blocks adenosine, boosts dopamine, serotonin, acytecholine) Nicotine (dopamine, norepinephrine) Amphetamines (Dopamine) Methamphetamines: (Highly addictive- Dopamine) Cocaine (Highly addictive- Dopamine- “Mouse Party” Ecstasy: serotonin transmitters, (permanent mood, memory damage)

Hallucinogens Describe the psychological and physiological affects of hallucinogens and summarize the effects of LSD and marijuana.

Hallucinogens Psychedelics change in perception without change in sensory input LSD, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana. (Serotonin) Marijuana: THC / no tolerance established

What factors promote drug use? Biological: Research indicates that genetics are influential in drug addiction psychological: coping mechanism to escape stress, failure, depression… Social / cultural: cultural norms, social pressures, influences

Drug Addiction Dopamine Reward Center: Brain’s pleasure center Release of dopamine in nucleus accumbens of Limbic System creates pleasure, or reward (in Limbic system) All pleasures registered in this way (natural or drugs) Addictive drugs can release 2-200 X the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do (eating, money, sex etc.) Reward circuits in brain involve motivation and memory as well as pleasure Tolerance leads to less impact of drug on reward center (receptor sites are diminished from drug use, decreasing our sense of pleasure (both natural and drug pleasure) Thus motivation and memory of drug in reward center create demand for drug, or compulsive behavior (addiction) Limbic system literally overrides frontal lobe, (prefrontal cortex) (PET, EEG) = impulsive, irrational behavior

Drug Addiction….

Dopamine Reward Center

Reuptake Blocked: (transporters closed…)