Consciousness Sleeping, Dreaming, and More

Did you know... World Record – Longest period of time a human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants) Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old 264 Hours (11 days) Health was monitored – negative cognitive & behavioral changes were reported After falling asleep – slept 14 hours, 40 minutes and then returned to a normal sleep schedule

Facts Although some people insist they NEVER dream, research suggests EVERYONE dreams during the night In sleep labs, people wakened from REM periods report 80-100% were dreaming w/ vivid & colorful images (even bizarre)

“Sleeping on it” seems to provide the clarity we need to piece together life’s puzzles. But how? While you sleep, your brain works Sleep: strengthens memories & selects which memories are worth keeping

Consciousness Different levels of awareness of one’s thoughts & feeling (i.e. states of awareness)

Continuum of Consciousness Controlled Processes Require full awareness Alertness & concentration interferes w/ execution of other activities Driving a Car for the first time Automatic Processes Requires little awareness, take minimal attention, and do NOT interfere w/ other activities Eating while reading or watching television Driving along familiar route Daydreaming Low level of awareness required Often occurs during automatic processes Involves fantasizing or dreaming while awake Usually happens at time where little attention is required, repetitive or boring activities Altered States Result from: medication, hypnosis, psychoactive drugs, or sleep deprivation to produce an awareness different than normal consciousness LSD Sleep 5 different stages Dreaming--a unique state conscious As we sleep, we experience astonishing images (visual, tactile, auditory)

SLEEP HOW MUCH SLEEP DO I NEED? Humans spend approx 1/3 of life asleep Sleep is largely related to biological clocks and circadian rhythms but how much sleep we get is often determined by the environment and 24-hour clock we follow.

Tells you when to eat, sleep, wake-up, etc. Biological clocks are internal timing devices that are genetically set to regulate various physiological responses for different periods of time Tells you when to eat, sleep, wake-up, etc.

Circadian rhythm refers to a biological clock that is genetically programmed to regulate physiological responses within a time period of 24 hours Ex. plants that open up and close during a day Studies found that humans circadian clock is naturally set to 24 hours, 18 minutes. Although sunlight helps reset the clock everyday, it would still function without it.

Circadian Rhythm Disorder Causes Time zone change (Jet lag) Shift work Medication, Drugs, Alcohol Stress Effects of disrupting Circadian Rhythm Weight gain Impulsive behavior Slowed thought processing

Stages of Sleep The distinctive changes in the electrical activity of the brain & the accompanying physiological responses of the body that occur as you pass through different stages of sleep EEG (Electroencephalogram) records brain waves; frequency (speed) & amplitude (height)

Stages of Sleep NREM NREM NREM NREM REM The stages of sleep are not locked in permanetely. If you are deprived of sleep you may spend more time in deep sleep when you finally do sleep. If you are deprived of REM for a few ngihts (alcohol abuse can do this) you may fall into REM sleep more quickly and spend a high percentage of the night in REM sleep.

There are two (2) major types of sleep REM sleep, which stands for rapid eye movement is one type of sleep. During this time our eyes move very rapidly in all directions inside the eye sockets. Have a friend close his/her eyes and then move their eyes around rapidly. This is similar to what your eyes look like during REM sleep. When your body is paralyzed, it is called sleep paralysis and keeps us from acting out our dreams. If you are keeping a dream journal and have been having trouble remembering dreams. Set your alarm for about an hour and forty minutes after you will fall asleep. You will be in a REM period and most likely dreaming when your alarm goes off. This is the time when we will dream. Roughly 20-25% of sleep time REM sleep remains for about 15 to 45 minutes then passes into non-REM sleep Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed.

Very vivid dreams can occur. Each REM will last longer than the previous one, and each period will increase in length as the night progresses. Dreams that you remember are those that occurred closest to the morning because they are the longest and come at a time when you are almost awake.

NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of sleep. where you spend approximately 75- 80% of your sleep time Divided into 4 stages (first four) Bed-wetting, sleepwalking, and talking in one’s sleep all occur during NREM. Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses. Night terrors occur Sleepwalking and talking occur.

Morning Person or Night Owl? Genetics play a role Higher IQ linked to night owls Night owls tend to be less reliable, more emotional, and more likely to have problems with addiction Morning people may perform better in school

How much sleep do I NEED?

Why do I sleep? Repair Theory Adaptive Theory Suggestion Support Activities during the day deplete key factors in our brain or body that are replenished or repaired by sleep 1. During Stage 4 sleep--marked by secretion of GH, which controls aspects of metabolism, physical growth, & brain development 2. Repair immune system 3. Restore energy (gylycogen) & chemicals Adaptive Theory Sleep evolved because it prevented early humans & animals from wasting energy & exposing themselves to the dangers of nocturnal predators Large animals (ex: lions) sleep A LOT & wherever they want Prey animals (ex: antelope) sleep less & in protected areas Humans have evolved to avoid being prey

What if I miss sleep? Effects on the BODY: Effects on the BRAIN: Immune system: body’s defense against viruses & toxins; Increases levels of stress hormones Disrupts metabolism Effects on the BRAIN: Irritability, unhappiness, can cause hallucinations, moodiness Interferes w/ tasks requiring concentration (ex: recalling & recognizing)

Sleep Problems & Treatment Definition Associated with Treatment Insomnia Difficulties either going to sleep or staying asleep at night Causes: overload of stressful events, grieving loss/death, coping w/ mental health, changes in night-shift work, chronic pain, medical problems, abusing alcohol or sedative Daytime - fatigue, impaired concentration, memory difficulty, lack of well-being 15-40% of Adults have Establish an optimal sleep pattern Sleep-induced drugs to reduce anxiety Sleep Apnea Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer, momentarily waking up, resume breathing, and return to sleep May wake up 200-400 times a night Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when store, overweight, use alcohol or sedatives 20 million adults have Do NOT let sleep on back Blow air into sealed mask at night Mouth device Surgery (to remove tonsils or alter jaw Narcolepsy Excessive sleepiness during day w/ brief periods of REM sleep & loss of muscle control BIG emotional changes can trigger Typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood

Sleep Problems & Treatment Definition Associated with Treatment Night Terrors Occur during stages 3 or 4 of sleep Frightening experiences during sleep with NO memory of 1. Often start with a piercing scream 2. Appears to be awakened in a fearful state (rapid breathing & increased heart rate) 3-7% of children have not much. Nightmares Occur during REM sleep Frightening, anxiety-producing images that occur during dreaming Involve danger--being attacked, injured, or pursued Upon waking, person can describe in detail 25-70% of children aged 3-6 have 47% of college students have at least 1x a month Regular use of anxiety-reduction techniques Sleepwalking Occurs in stages 3 or 4 Consists of getting up & walking while literally sound asleep Usually have POOR coordination--clumsy but can avoid objects, engage in conversations, have no memory of Typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood

Texting and sleep 2010 Research – Average teen sends more than 100 texts per day Major cause of sleep deprivation in teens Texts may awaken you and decrease sleep Playing games on your phone before bed can prevent sleep Study showed that 77.5% of teens that text or surf web at night have trouble falling asleep Can cause mood, behavior, and cognitive problems during the day including ADHD, anxiety, depression

DREAMS

FREUD’S THEORY OF DREAM INTERPRETATION “censor” protects us from threatening thoughts by transforming our secret, guilt-ridden and anxiety-provoking desires into harmless symbols that appear in our dreams and do not disturb our sleep or conscious thoughts

Extensions of Waking Life Dreams reflect the same thoughts, fears, concerns, problems, and emotions that we have when awake

HYPNOSIS Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that involves being in a relaxed state with a heightened ability to focus on specific things, while ignoring usual distractions.

Suggestion is a basic part of hypnosis Suggestion is a basic part of hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state that helps a person focus attention on certain objects, acts, or feelings. Hypnosis is an intense form of relaxation with the person fully conscious. Approximately 8 out of 10 can be hypnotized.

Meditation is a form of self-control in which a person can cut off the outside world.

Drugs Effect Consciousness Distort perception Change moods Cause to see or hear things Studies found Marijuana is most frequently used illegal drug 42.3% of 12th graders have tried Marijuana Marijuana effects brain – impairs short-term memory, perception, judgement, motor skills

Drugs National Institute of Drug Abuse study (2011) on high school students found Daily Marijuana use at it’s highest since the early 80’s In some measures, marijuana use is ahead of cigarette smoking 21.4% of 12th grade students used marijuana in the last 30 days After marijuana, prescription drugs 2nd most abused Alcohol use and binge drinking has steadily declined (53.4% in 2009 to 47% in 2010)

Drugs: TERMS Psychoactive drugs - Chemicals that affect or nervous system &, as a result, may alter consciousness & awareness, influence how we sense & perceive things, & modify our moods, feelings, emotions, & thoughts, include: Addiction - Person has developed a behavioral pattern of drug abuse Overwhelming & compulsive desire to obtain & use drug Even after stopping—person has strong tendency to relapse & use again

Drugs: TERMS Tolerance - After a person uses a drug repeatedly over a period of time, original dose of drug NO longer produces the desired effect, so a person must take increasingly larger doses of drug to achieve same behavioral effect Dependency - Change in the nervous system so that a person now NEEDS to take the drug to prevent the occurrence of painful withdrawal symptoms Withdrawal Symptoms - Painful physical & psychological symptoms that occur after a drug-dependent person stops using drug

Types of Drugs Depressants: Slow Activity of nervous system Alcohol Narcotics (morphine, heroin, codeine) Narcotics – means “numbness” or “stupor”

Types of Drugs Stimulants: increase the activity of the nervous system Speed up breathing and heart rate Elevate mood, increased feeling of well being – caffeine = legal drug Nicotine Amphetamines Help you stay awake or reduce appetite Cocaine

Types of Drugs Hallucinogens: Produce hallucinations May cause relaxation or feelings of pleasure Marijuana LSD