CONSCIOUSNESS

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) Held Press Conference on last day – spoke without slurring Health was monitored – negative cognitive & behavioral changes were reported After falling asleep – slept 14 hours, 40 minutes.

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

Consciousness refers to different levels of awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings Alertness to nonalertness Not completely aware = altered state i.e. sleep

FREUD’S LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

SLEEP

NREM

1. REM sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a high level of brain activity, a deep relaxation of the muscles and dreaming This is the time when we will dream. “Active sleep” 15 minutes (beginning of night) to 45 minutes (end of night) Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed. There are two (2) major types of sleep

2. NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of sleep. Where we spend the majority of our sleep time Divided into 4 stages (first four) Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses. “Quiet sleep”

HOW MUCH SLEEP DO I NEED?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET SLEEP? It can affect immune system. It can cause you to hallucinate. You will have less energy. Your cognitive performance can be affected.

Texting and sleep 2010 Research – Average teen sends more than 100 text messages 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

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM 24-hour biological clock; genetically programmed; regulates physiological responses Disrupting the circadian rhythm causes problems Sleep is regulated by environment/industrial clock, NOT your circadian rhythm POTENTIAL PROBLEMS?

Problems that can result from disrupting the circadian clock – Accidents (body prepared for sleep, trying to stay awake to drive, alertness decreases) – Jet lag – Illness

Your circadian rhythm for body temperature influences your sleep preferences

Treating Circadian Problems – Melatonin - supplements have been proven to help people sleep

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Persistent problems falling asleep Effects 10% of the population Primary insomnia: Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia: Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using (like alcohol).asthmaarthritiscancer heartburnpain

Sleep Disorders DefinitionAssociated with Insomnia Failure to get enough sleep at night Daytime - fatigue, impaired concentration, memory difficulty, lack of well-being Sleep Apnea Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when overweight, use alcohol or sedatives Narcolepsy Suddenly falling asleep or feeling very sleepy during the day Daytime – sleep attacks accompanied by REM sleep

Narcolepsy Suffer from sleeplessness and may fall asleep at unpredictable or inappropriate times. Directly into REM sleep Less than.001 % of population. Click above to see Skeeter the narcoleptic dog.

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.

Night Terrors Wake up screaming and have no idea why. Not a nightmare. Most common in children (boys) between ages 2-8.

NIGHTMARES & NIGHT TERRORS Nightmares – unpleasant dreams occur during REM Night terrors – sleep disruptions in stage IV; involve screaming, panic, confusion; often no memory of it SLEEPWALKING Most common in young children – will outgrow it Linked to stress, fatigue, drug use

Somnambulism Sleep Walking Most often occurs during the first few hours of sleeping and in stage 4 (deep sleep). If you have had night terrors, you are more likely to sleep walk when older.

DREAMS Everybody dreams Often incorporate everyday activities into dreams FREUD (Dream interpretation): Dreams have hidden meaning/reveal the unconscious MANY DREAM THEORIES: problem-solving theory mental housecleaning/clean brain extending waking life

HYPNOSIS state of consciousness resulting from a narrowed focus of attention and characterized by heightened suggestibility USES: entertainment pain reduction quit smoking

MEDITATION The focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation USES: lower blood pressure, heart rate benefits vary greatly

DRUGS & CONSCIOUSNESS PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS: chemicals that affect the nervous system and result in altered states Stimulants: elevate mood, increase energy & alertness caffiene cocaine Meth Depressants: slow down nervous system alcohol sleeping pills Hallucinogens: change persons perception of reality marijuana LSD

MARIJUANA & ALCOHOL Marijuana the dried leaves and flowers of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) that produce altered states of consciousness effects vary from person to person, situation to situation studies suggest more dangerous to lungs than cigarette disrupts memory formation psychological addiction? Alcohol can loosen inhibitions despite stimulating effect is a depressant Can cause brain and liver damage underage drinking has actually decreased