1. Chapter 7 Altered States of Consciousness
Aivee, Joanna, Ciara, Emmanuel, Allene, John
(Austin)

2. Section 1 Sleeps and Dreams

3. Why Do We Sleep?
Some believe sleep is restorative; it allows people to “charge batteries.”
Some believe that sleep is a time when the brain recovers from exhaustion and stress
Others believe it is a type of primitive hibernation: we sleep to conserve energy.
Some suggest that sleep is an adaptive process

4. Stages Of Sleep Temperature decreases Pulse rate drops
Breathing becomes slow and even
Alpha Waves: The normal electrical activity of the brain when conscious and relaxed.
EEG: A test used to detect abnormalities related to electrical activity of the brain.

5. How Much Sleep?
Humans spend approximately one-third of their lives in sleep.
Sleep varies considerably from individual to individual

6. Sleep Disorders
Sleep is essential for mental and physical restoration. Without sleep, you are endanger of harming public safety/your own.
Insomnia: Failure to get enough sleep at night in order to feel rested at the next day
Sleep Apnea: Sleep disorder where person has trouble breathing at night while sleeping
Narcolepsy: Suddenly falling asleep/feeling very sleepy during the day
Night Terrors: Sleep disruptions involving screaming, panic, or confusion
Sleepwalking: Walking or carrying out other behaviours while still being asleep
Circadian Rhythm: The rhythm of activity and inactivity lasting approximately one day
Consciousness: State of awareness, including a person’s feelings, sensations, ideas, and perceptions

7. Dreams
We call the mental activity that takes place during sleep Dreaming.
The first few dreams are usually composed of vague thoughts left over from the day’s activities.
Some dreams are negative enough to be considered nightmares.
The sense of dread in nightmares may be related to the intensity of brain activity and the stimulation may be related to emotional responses.

8. Section 2 Hypnosis, Biofeedback, and Meditation

9. What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis: a state of consciousness resulting from a narrowed focus of attention and marked by heightened suggestibility

10. Hypnosis
Helps people quit smoking, lose weight, manage stress, overcome phobias, and get rid of pain
Participants are not put to sleep; instead, they are put into a trance by relaxing and losing interest in external distractions
Mutual trust is key between participant and hypnotist

11. Theories of Hypnosis
Theodore Barber argues that hypnosis is not a special state of given consciousness but simply the result of suggestibility
He believes that if someone is given instructions and told to do their best, they can do anything a hypnotized person could do
Some other psychologists believe that hypnotized people behave as they do because they’ve accepted the role of a hypnotized subject

12. Theories of Hypnosis
Other psychologists like Ernest Hilgard believe that hypnosis is a special state of consciousness
This theory is called the Neodissociation Theory, which states that the conscious mind dissociates from what happens during hypnosis
This includes the “hidden observer” concept, where a part of the brain is aware and tells the hypnotized person what is happening

13. Uses of Hypnosis
Although hypnosis is used for entertainment, it has uses in medical and therapeutic purposes
Posthypnotic suggestion is made during hypnosis that influences the participant’s behaviour afterward
Hypnotic analgesia refers to a reduction of pain
Hypnotists work with the patient to reduce their anxiety and encourage relaxation
Therapists use hypnosis to help clients reveal their problems or gain insight into their lives

14. Biofeedback
The process of learning to control bodily states with the help of machines monitoring the states to be controlled
Used to teach people to control a variety of physiological responses such as brain waves (EEG), heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and sweat-gland activity
Biofeedback involves using machines to tell people about very subtle, moment-to-moment changes in the body

15. Meditation
Meditation is the focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation
There are three major approaches to meditation
Transcendental meditation involves the mental repetition of a mantra
Mindfulness meditation focuses on the present moment.
Breath meditation is a concentration on one’s respiration-the process of inhaling and exhaling.

16. Section 3 Drugs and Consciousness

17. Psychoactive Drugs
*Chemicals that affect the central nervous system to alter consciousness*
Psychoactive drugs alter a person's mood, perception, and behavior
These drugs range from stimulants like the caffeine in coffee, french vanilla cappuccinos, (hot chocolate) and in cola drinks to depressants like alcohol to powerful hallucinogens like:
Marijuana, LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, ecstasy & etc...

18. Marijuana
*Dried leaves and flowers of indian hemp producing state of consciousness when smoked or consumed*

19. Effects of Marijuana
Feelings of pleasure and happiness, & among the Eastern cultures for centuries, is legally and morally acceptable in some societies
Smoking/Consuming Marijuana (THC) intensifies sensory experiences (hearing, touch, or taste), it distorts time, sometimes impairs learning and memory. Marijuana can also relieve glaucoma, and nausea :(
Ingredients:
Active ingredient in Marijuana is a complex molecule called tetrahydrocannabinol (*THC* for short), which occurs naturally in the common weed Cannabis sativa, or Indian hemp

20. What are Hallucinations?
Perceptions with no direct external cause
Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling things that do not exist

21. Effects of Hallucinations
Hypnosis, meditation, certain drugs, withdrawal from an addictive drug, and psychological breakdown
Similar drugs caused similar reactions; disorganization of the brain and arousal of the nervous system

22. What are Hallucinogens?
Drugs producing hallucinations
Found in plants
Drugs are also called psychedelics, you lose contact with reality
Creates false body image, lose of self, fantasies and hallucinations

23. LSD
Most powerful drug known, most widely studied and most powerful hallucinogen
100 to 300 micrograms produces a state, called a trip, lasts 6 to 14 hours
Often dissolved into strips of paper or sugar cubes

24. Effects of LSD
Experiences hallucinations where geometric forms evolve into surrealistic impossibilities
Familiar objects become unrecognizable, acceleration or slowing down of time
Impairs thinking
Panic reactions

25. Opiates Usually called narcotics Includes opium, morphine, and heroin
Produces pain reduction; euphoria (described as a state between awake and asleep) and constipation
Overdose results in loss of control in breathing, dying from respiratory failure
Link:

26. What is Alcohol?
Most widely used and abused mind-altering substance in the United States
Encouraged by advertisements and social expectations and traditions

27. Effects of Alcohol Depressant, inhibits the brain’s normal functions
Act without awareness or social restraint
Effects depends on amount and frequency of drinking and drinker’s body weight
Slurred speech, blurred vision, impaired judgement and memory
Permanent brain and liver damage
Changed personality

28. Drug Abuse and Treatment
*Drug abusers are people who excessively use illegal/legal drugs*
There are risks connected with drug abuse, including danger of death or injury by overdose, damage to health, legal consequences (Jail, Fines, etc), and destructive behaviour
*Treatment for drug abuse usually involves the followings steps*
The drug abuser must admit he or she has a problem
Must enter a treatment program or get therapy
The drug abuser must remain drug free (sober)

29. Thank you for listening