Consciousness

ConsciousnessWhat is consciousness?Our subjective experience of the world, our bodies, and our mental perspectivesTwo parts: Awareness and ArousalKnow the self and become physiologically engaged in the environmentPrefrontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate (controls will) as well as the old brainStream of Consciousness (William James) constant flow of changing sensations, images, cognitions, and feelings.Levels of AwarenessHigher LevelsControlled Processes The most alert states, you actively control your efforts to the goalRequire selective attention Lower LevelsAutomatic Processes require little attention because they do not interfere with ongoing activitiesYour ability to text without breaking the convo! Daydreaming The state between active consciousness and dreaming Occur spontaneously

Altered States and Subconscious Awareness,Subconscious What is occurring beneath the surface both when we are awake and dreamingIncubation process helps us solve problemsAltered States are mental states that are different from normal awareness such as hallucinationsCaused by trauma, fever, fatigue, sensory deprivation, meditation, hypnosis, drugs, or disordersUnconscious Thought Sigmund Freud (1917) A vast amount of socially unacceptable wishes, feelings, and thoughts that are kept beyond our conscious awarenessIts better off if we not know about these vile disturbing impulses

Although Freuds theory is controversial, scientists today do back the idea of the unconscious. Many of our emotions and thoughts occur outside of awareness (non- aware)

Sleep

Is sleep the same as being unconscious?No!SleepUnconsciousBrain processes sensory info.Brain does not process sensory info.Important info. will rouse someone (e.g., a babys cry)Important info. will not awaken someoneBrain processes internal info.Brain does not process internal info.Will make adjustments (e.g., will remove a blanket if too warm)Will not make adjustments for comfortBiology of SleepCircadian rhythm Stages of sleepSleep disorders

Theories on why we sleep:Evolution dictates inactivity at nightMemory consolidationNeural development and connectivityConserving energyBrain Plasticity enhancedRestores the bodyNatural state of rest for the body.1/3 of our life

Circadian RhythmCyclical changes that occur on a roughly 24-hour basis in many biological processesHormone releaseDrowsinessBiological clock: suprachiasmatic nucleus in hypothalamus; responsible for controlling levels of alertnessDisruptions:Jet lagShift work

Sleep DisordersInsomniaTrouble falling asleepWaking up too earlyWaking up during the night and having trouble returning to sleep

12InsomniaCommon in depression, chronic medical conditions

Induced temporarily by stress, meds, caffeine, jet lag, naps, etc.

Sleeping pills less effective than therapy; may cause rebound insomnia

13If youre experiencing insomnia, one of the number one tips from the experts is to hide your clocks. Other tips include relaxation before bed, sleeping in a cool room, sticking to a sleep schedule, reducing caffeine/TV before bed/naps, and sleeping only when tired.

Sleep drugs have benefits but at least one study suggests that theyre less effective than brief therapy. Furthermore, they can actually cause the body to experience a rebound effect of more insomnia when you try to go off the pills. Add to that the scary stuff about Ambien and people driving and eating while fully asleep and you should be ready to exercise caution before you think about taking pills. Sleep HygieneAvoid caffeine, alcoholAvoid napsRegular bedtime and waking timeAvoid clocksCool room temperatureAvoid TV/Internet before bedtimeReserve your bed only for the Ss

NarcolepsyRapid and unexpected onset of sleep

May fall asleep standing, driving, etc.

Strong emotions can elicit cataplexyComplete loss of muscle tone

Often experience hallucinations prior to episodes, possibly due to rapid REM onset

Treatment with orexin-related meds15http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1_yS6_5T4

Apparently, narcolepsy is very common in dogs

A hormone called OREXIN may be involved in narcolepsy. It seems that narcoleptics have less brain cells that produce this hormone. Sleepwalking and SleeptalkingSomnambulism deepest stages of sleep when delta waves are at peak, more likely with sleep deprivation or alcohol

Somniloquy sleep talking also occurs in deepest stage

Sleep Eating??? (Side effect of Ambien)Nightmares and Night TerrorsNightmares occur in REM sleep involving a dream where frightening stimuli are present. Shown to appear more with life stressNight terrorsSudden arousal from sleep w/ intense fearPhysiological reactionsPeak at age 6Occur during delta sleepSleep Apnea2-20% of the populationBlockage of the airway during sleepsnoring, gasping, stopping breathingMultiple awakenings nightlydaytime fatiguenegative health effectsTreatment options: weight loss, surgery, CPAP machine

18Measuring sleep: About every 90 minutes, we pass through a cycle of five distinct sleep stages.

Stages of SleepHank Morgan/ Rainbow19Stages of SleepAwake and alert: Beta wavesAwake and relaxed: Alpha waves

20So there are 5 basic sleep stages, which we cycle through repeatedly over the course of a nights sleep.

To measure what stage of sleep youre in they use something called an ELECTROOCULOGRAM to measure eye movements and an ELECTROMYOGRAM to measure muscle movements, and an EEG to measure your brain waves.

When youre AWAKE & ALERT your body produces BETA WAVES (13+/s). As you start to relax, you enter a calm phase where youre producing ALPHA WAVES (8-12/s)

STAGE 1 SLEEP is the lightest kind of sleep , lasting for 5-10 minutes as you drift off, where your brain activity goes down 50% or more. Youre producing THETA WAVES (4-7/s) and you might experience that falling feeling, or sudden limb movements (\MYOCLONIC JERKS). This is a confusing state to wake up in, because you might be experiencing HYPNAGOGIC IMAGERY: scrambled, bizarre, dreamlike images in and out of your consciousness. This might be where we find ghosts, in fact when were just drifting off and prone to these bizarre images.

In STAGE 2 SLEEP, brain waves slow down further, and we experience sudden intense electrical bursts called SLEEP SPINDLES (12-14/s) and occasionally sharp rise-and-fall patterns known as K COMPLEXES. This is where most of our sleeping time is spent, and its marked by even greater decrease in brain activity, muscle relaxation, dipping body temp, and the end of eye movements.STAGE 3 and 4 sleep are much deeper phases of sleep characterized by the presence of DELTA WAVES which are very slow (1-2/s). Babies are especially good at achieving this dead to the world level of sleep.

Twilight - Awake but RelaxedWhen an individual closes his eyes but remains awake, his brain activity slows down to a large amplitude and slow, regular alpha waves (9-14 cps). A meditating person exhibits an alpha brain activity.

21Stages of Sleep

Stage 1 Sleep: 5-10 minutes as falling asleepBrain activity reduces 50% or moreTheta wavesMyclonic jerksHypnagogic imagery

22So there are 5 basic sleep stages, which we cycle through repeatedly over the course of a nights sleep.

To measure what stage of sleep youre in they use something called an ELECTROOCULOGRAM to measure eye movements and an ELECTROMYOGRAM to measure muscle movements, and an EEG to measure your brain waves.

When youre AWAKE & ALERT your body produces BETA WAVES (13+/s). As you start to relax, you enter a calm phase where youre producing ALPHA WAVES (8-12/s)

STAGE 1 SLEEP is the lightest kind of sleep , lasting for 5-10 minutes as you drift off, where your brain activity goes down 50% or more. Youre producing THETA WAVES (4-7/s) and you might experience that falling feeling, or sudden limb movements (\MYOCLONIC JERKS). This is a confusing state to wake up in, because you might be experiencing HYPNAGOGIC IMAGERY: scrambled, bizarre, dreamlike images in and out of your consciousness. This might be where we find ghosts, in fact when were just drifting off and prone to these bizarre images.

In STAGE 2 SLEEP, brain waves slow down further, and we experience sudden intense electrical bursts called SLEEP SPINDLES (12-14/s) and occasionally sharp rise-and-fall patterns known as K COMPLEXES. This is where most of our sleeping time is spent, and its marked by even greater decrease in brain activity, muscle relaxation, dipping body temp, and the end of eye movements.STAGE 3 and 4 sleep are much deeper phases of sleep characterized by the presence of DELTA WAVES which are very slow (1-2/s). Babies are especially good at achieving this dead to the world level of sleep.

Stages of Sleep

Stage 2 Sleep: most of sleeping timeBrain waves continue to slowMuscle relaxation, body tempSleep spindlesK complexes

23So there are 5 basic sleep stages, which we cycle through repeatedly over the course of a nights sleep.

To measure what stage of sleep youre in they use something called an ELECTROOCULOGRAM to measure eye movements and an ELECTROMYOGRAM to measure muscle movements, and an EEG to measure your brain waves.

When youre AWAKE & ALERT your body produces BETA WAVES (13+/s). As you start to relax, you enter a calm phase where youre producing ALPHA WAVES (8-12/s)

STAGE 1 SLEEP is the lightest kind of sleep , lasting for 5-10 minutes as you drift off, where your brain activity goes down 50% or more. Youre producing THETA WAVES (4-7/s) and you might experience that falling feeling, or sudden limb movements (\MYOCLONIC JERKS). This is a confusing state to wake up in, because you might be experiencing HYPNAGOGIC IMAGERY: scrambled, bizarre, dreamlike images in and out of your consciousness. This might be where we find ghosts, in fact when were just drifting off and prone to these bizarre images.

In STAGE 2 SLEEP, brain waves slow down further, and we experience sudden intense electrical bursts called SLEEP SPINDLES (12-14/s) and occasionally sharp rise-and-fall patterns known as K COMPLEXES. This is where most of our sleeping time is spent, and its marked by even greater decrease in brain activity, muscle relaxation, dipping body temp, and the end of eye movements.STAGE 3 and 4 sleep are much deeper phases of sleep characterized by the presence of DELTA WAVES which are very slow (1-2/s). Babies are especially good at achieving this dead to the world level of sleep.

Stages of Sleep

Stage 3 & 4 Sleep: 25% of sleepDelta wavesDeep, slow-wave sleepNecessary for feeling restedAlcohol suppresses delta waves

24So there are 5 basic sleep stages, which we cycle through repeatedly over the course of a nights sleep.

To measure what stage of sleep youre in they use something called an ELECTROOCULOGRAM to measure eye movements and an ELECTROMYOGRAM to measure muscle movements, and an EEG to measure your brain waves.

When youre AWAKE & ALERT your body produces BETA WAVES (13+/s). As you start to relax, you enter a calm phase where youre producing ALPHA WAVES (8-12/s)

STAGE 1 SLEEP is the lightest kind of sleep , lasting for 5-10 minutes as you drift off, where your brain activity goes down 50% or more. Youre producing THETA WAVES (4-7/s) and you might experience that falling feeling, or sudden limb movements (\MYOCLONIC JERKS). This is a confusing state to wake up in, because you might be experiencing HYPNAGOGIC IMAGERY: scrambled, bizarre, dreamlike images in and out of your consciousness. This might be where we find ghosts, in fact when were just drifting off and prone to these bizarre images.

In STAGE 2 SLEEP, brain waves slow down further, and we experience sudden intense electrical bursts called SLEEP SPINDLES (12-14/s) and occasionally sharp rise-and-fall patterns known as K COMPLEXES. This is where most of our sleeping time is spent, and its marked by even greater decrease in brain activity, muscle relaxation, dipping body temp, and the end of eye movements.STAGE 3 and 4 sleep are much deeper phases of sleep characterized by the presence of DELTA WAVES which are very slow (1-2/s). Babies are especially good at achieving this dead to the world level of sleep.

Stages of SleepStage 5 (REM) Sleep: 20-25%Brain waves resemble wakefulnessIncreased heart rate and blood pressureRapid and irregular breathing

25So there are 5 basic sleep stages, which we cycle through repeatedly over the course of a nights sleep.

To measure what stage of sleep youre in they use something called an ELECTROOCULOGRAM to measure eye movements and an ELECTROMYOGRAM to measure muscle movements, and an EEG to measure your brain waves.

When youre AWAKE & ALERT your body produces BETA WAVES (13+/s). As you start to relax, you enter a calm phase where youre producing ALPHA WAVES (8-12/s)

STAGE 1 SLEEP is the lightest kind of sleep , lasting for 5-10 minutes as you drift off, where your brain activity goes down 50% or more. Youre producing THETA WAVES (4-7/s) and you might experience that falling feeling, or sudden limb movements (\MYOCLONIC JERKS). This is a confusing state to wake up in, because you might be experiencing HYPNAGOGIC IMAGERY: scrambled, bizarre, dreamlike images in and out of your consciousness. This might be where we find ghosts, in fact when were just drifting off and prone to these bizarre images.

In STAGE 2 SLEEP, brain waves slow down further, and we experience sudden intense electrical bursts called SLEEP SPINDLES (12-14/s) and occasionally sharp rise-and-fall patterns known as K COMPLEXES. This is where most of our sleeping time is spent, and its marked by even greater decrease in brain activity, muscle relaxation, dipping body temp, and the end of eye movements.STAGE 3 and 4 sleep are much deeper phases of sleep characterized by the presence of DELTA WAVES which are very slow (1-2/s). Babies are especially good at achieving this dead to the world level of sleep.

Stages of SleepRapid Eye Movements (REM) Stage 5Eyes move under the lidsAssociated with vivid dream states; rapid plot shifts & emotional content

Dreams do occur in non-REM sleep but to a lesser degree & differentShort, thought-like; topics of current concern such as shopping lists, homework.

26REM SLEEP which is AKA PARADOXICAL SLEEP occurs during temporary upshifts in our brain activity, after about 10 to 30 minutes of deeper sleep. Our brains shift into high gear and we start seeing high frequency low-amplitude waves. This is where the most vivid dreams occur. The Paradoxical part is that while the body is asleep the brain seems to be awake and active. This increase in activity is accompanied by an increase in HR and irregular breathing. After a few minutes, we cycle back to deeper sleeps, only to return to REM sleep a short while later (this time for a slightly longer period of time) we do this 5 or 6 times per night.

Importance of REM SleepDeprivation of REM leads to death in rats

REM rebound: when were deprived, we automatically catch up on it the next time we sleep (more dreams, more vivid)

Paradoxical sleep: Brain active, body inactiveREM Behavior Disorder27REM sleep is VERY important.

Some suggest that the eye movements may correspond to what were doing in our dreams for example, theres a report of someone whose eyes were going back and forth awaking to report dreaming of a ping pong game. Muscles inside our ears also appear to become active during REM, possibly indicating that theyre helping us hear what were dreaming.

Now, when were in REM stage sleep were basically paralyzed because of the actions of the Locus Coeruleus. If we werent, wed act our actions which is exactly what people who have something called REM Behavior Disorder do.

Sleep DeprivationFatigue and subsequent death.

Impaired concentration.

Emotional irritability.

Depressed immune system.

Greater vulnerability.28Dreams

Dream FindingsNegative Emotional Content: 8 out of 10 dreams have negative emotional content.Failure Dreams: People commonly dream about failure, being attacked, pursued, rejected, or struck with misfortune.Sexual Dreams: Contrary to our thinking, sexual dreams are sparse. Sexual dreams in men are 1 in 10; and in women 1 in 30.Dreams of Gender: Women dream of men and women equally; men dream more about men than women.30Why do we dream?Wish Fulfillment: Sigmund Freud suggested that dreams provide a psychic safety valve to discharge unacceptable feelings. The dreams manifest (apparent) content may also have symbolic meanings (latent content) that signify our unacceptable feelings.Information Processing: Dreams may help sift, sort, and fix a days experiences in our memories.31

Why do we dream?Physiological Function: Dreams provide the sleeping brain with periodic stimulation to develop and preserve neural pathways. Neural networks of newborns are quickly developing; therefore, they need more sleep.32Why do we dream?Activation-Synthesis Theory: Suggests that the brain engages in a lot of random neural activity. Dreams make sense of this activity.Cognitive Development: Some researchers argue that we dream as a part of brain maturation and cognitive development.All dream researchers believe we need REM sleep. Whendeprived of REM sleep and then allowed to sleep,we show increased REM sleep called REM Rebound.33Dream Theories

34Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs and ConsciousnessPsychoactive Drug: substance that contains chemicals similar to those found naturally in our brains that alter consciousness by changing chemical processes in neuronsMental Set: beliefs and expectancies about the effects of drugs

Substance Abuse & DependenceAbuse: recurrent problems associated with drugDependence: clinically significant impairment and/or distressToleranceWithdrawalPhysical dependencePsychological dependenceSociocultural InfluencesProhibition of drinking in certain culturesMuslim, MormonUnemploymentLearning and ExpectanciesTension reduction hypothesis: consume alcohol and other drugs to alleviate anxietyBut only relaxes if they believe it doesReinforces drug useGenetic InfluencesAlcoholism tends to run in familiesMutation in aldehyde 2 gene associated with low risk of developing alcoholism40% of people with Asian descent

Explaining Abuse and AddictionBiological factorsSome people may be genetically predisposed to addictionDopamine reward circuitPsychological, social, and cultural factorsExpectations, social setting, and cultural beliefs and values can affect usage patternsAttitudes and beliefs about drug use may come from family environment41DepressantsDepress effects of CNSSedative: drug that exerts a calming effectHypnotic: drug that exerts a sleep-inducing effect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ikH9ZRcF2Q

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html42

AlcoholBAC dependent on rate of alcohol absorptionEmotional and physiological stimulant at relatively low doses, but considered a depressantBAC = .05-.10: slowed thinking, impaired concentration, reduced muscular coordinationBAC = .08 usual legal intoxication limitBAC = .40-.50: loss of consciousnessBAC = .50-.60: fatal

StimulantsDrugs that increase activity in CNS, including heart rate, respiration, and blood pressureNicotineCocaineAmphetamines

CocaineBlocks reabsorption of dopamineProduces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoriaCrash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings45

EcstasyEcstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogen. It produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing neurons, which results in a permanent deflation of mood and impairment of memory.

47AmphetaminesAmphetamines stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes, with devastating effects.

Chemically similar to epinephrine, a hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous systemIncrease alertness as well as feelings of well-beingCan cause euphoria followed by a crash, including severe depressionLeads to cycle of addiction48

Psychedelics (hallucinogenics)Drugs that cause dramatic alterations of perception, mood, and thoughtDistort visual and auditory perceptionMarijuanaLSDMDMA (ecstasy)Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic stateCan result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression

MarijuanaTHC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such asMild hallucinationsEuphoriaEnhanced sense of well-beingRelaxationDistortion of timeSome users may experience anxiety and paranoia51NarcoticsDrugs that relieve pain and induce sleepHighly addictiveHeroinMorphineCodeine

HypnosisHypnosis Altered state of consciousness based on high suggestibility, altered expectations, and focused attentionTakes place by minimizing distraction and comfortConcentration on something specific (watch, ticking, scene)Information on the hypnotic stateSuggesting certain events that are taking place based on observations, uses persons interpretation to increase suggestibility. Divided State of Consciousness (Hilgard 1977)Social-Cognitive View Act on beliefs

MeditationMindfulness meditation has been a psychological/physiological remedy for thousands of years. Can achieve hypnosis through meditation Mimics some of the qualities of sleep and wakefulness (the in-between)

Lets ReviewSara drank 3 glasses of wine last night and doesnt feel rested today. The alcohol likely disrupted Saras stage _ sleep.123 & 4REMLets ReviewKorinne rarely feels rested while sleeping, and this is unsurprising because she stops breathing multiple times every night when her airway gets blocked. Korinne likely has _____.InsomniaNight terrorsNarcolepsySleep apneaLets ReviewFabian needs to drink 5 beers to get the same feeling he used to get from 3 beers. This reduction in the effect of the drug after repeated use is called _______.ToleranceWithdrawalPhysical dependencePsychological dependenceLets ReviewJosh recently had back surgery, and his doctor gave him a medication to help him control pain. The drug he was given was most likely a _________.DepressantStimulantNarcoticHallucinogenic