1. Altered States of Consciousness

2. Dreaming

3. Consciousness and altered States of Consciousness
What is consciousness? Cons ciousness is a state of awareness. When we discuss altered states of consciousness, we mean that people can have different levels of awareness. Consciousness can range from alertness to non-alertness.

4. Sleep
Why do we sleep?
People can enter into different states of consciousness, or awareness.
Sleep is difficult to study but has been aided by technology such as the electroencephalograph (EEG).
There are different theories about why we sleep. Possible purposes of sleep include:
conserving energy
protecting us from danger at night
Dreaming
restoring the mind
clearing the mind of useless information

5. Sleep and Dreams
The quantity of sleep needed varies by individual and by age; in general, sleep requirements are the greatest for newborns and then decrease with age.
Sleep cycles are regulated by environmental cues and a biological clock called a circadian rhythm.
Common sleep disorders:
insomnia: inability to get enough sleep
sleep apnea: sleep breathing interruptions
narcolepsy: a permanent feeling of tiredness
night terrors: happens during Stage IV sleep, may involve screaming, sweating, and confusion
sleepwalking: walking or taking other normal actions while not entirely awake

6. There are five different stages of sleep, as evidenced by EEG recordings.
In Stages I and II of sleep, your pulse slows and your muscles begin to relax.
In Stage III sleep, large-amplitude brain waves appear about every second.
Stage IV – is the deepest sleep; sleepwalking may occur
In Stage V REM sleep occurs
During a normal period of sleep, people cycle through all five stages several times.
The majority of time asleep is spent in stages I through IV.
Stages of Sleep

7. Dreams Dreams during REM sleep are often vivid/dramatic.
Dreams often include everyday activities.
Nightmares are exceptionally negative dreams, and may be related to heightened stimulation in the part of the brain responsible for emotional reactions.
Different theories about the meaning of dreams:
A process for working through difficult thoughts.
A chance to interact with the departed.
An unimportant part of normal brain functioning.
A way to reflect on and solve problems.
A way to get rid of unneeded memories.
Daydreaming is idle but directed thinking. It may improve creativity and help us control emotions.

8. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness in which people become highly suggestible.
According to Barber, hypnosis is the result of a person being overly suggestible.
According to Hilgard’s neodissociation theory, different aspects of consciousness may become separated during hypnosis.
According to other theorists, hypnosis relies on the hypnotized person’s expectations and acceptance of the role.
Uses for hypnosis include: • pain management, memory improvement, forgetting painful memories, changing unwanted behaviors, achieving peak performance, revealing problems, gaining insight

9. BIOFeedback and meditation
With biofeedback, people learn to control their physiological responses by monitoring feedback.
Biofeedback can be used to prevent tension headaches. • During meditation, a person focuses his or her attention with the goal of clearing the mind and producing relaxation.
Meditation helps people lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate.

10. Drugs and Altered states of consciousness

11. An epidemic

12. Drugs and their effects
Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter a person’s mood, perception, and behavior.
Marijuana alters sensory perceptions, and impairs memory formation.
Hallucinogens, such as LSD, cause hallucinations, sensory distortions, and sometimes panic.
Stimulants, such as caffeine, nicotine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, can cause increased energy and alertness, irritability, nervousness, headaches, and insomnia.
Opiates, such as morphine and heroin, can cause decreased pain, euphoria, constipation, decreased attention, and withdrawal.
Depressants cause relaxation, inhibition release, and impaired memory and judgment.

13. Drug abuse and treatment
A drug is abused when it is used illegally or in excess of a prescription.
The risks of drug abuse include death or injury by overdose or accident, brain damage, destructive behavior, danger of injuring others, legal consequences, loss of income, and addiction.
Drug addiction is an overwhelming and compulsive desire to obtain and use drugs.
There are a number of organizations to help people with substance abuse problems and their families.

14. Activity: Round table discussion
Group 1: Marijuana
Group 2: Hallucinogens
Group 3: Stimulants
Group 4: Opiates
Group 5: Depressants
Activity: Round table discussion

15. Activity COntinued Answer the following Questions:
1. What is the drug? (ie synthetic, natural etc.)
2. How does it affect the brain specifically? (ie chemicals released when used)
3. How does it negatively effect the abuser over time?
4. How many people become addicted to the drug you are assigned annually?
5. What is the percentage of people that die from the drug annually by age, sex, and socio-economic status?
6. What are the symptoms of abuse of the imparticular drug?