Chapter 2, Biological Bases of Behavior, Part II, States of Consciousness

consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

hypnosis

a social interaction in which one person (the subject) responds to another person's (the hypnotist's) suggestions that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneous occur.

posthypnotic suggestion

a suggestion made during hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors.

dissociation

a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

circadian rhythm

the biological clocks; regular bodily rhythms (for example of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

sleep

periodic, natural loss of consciousness - as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus,

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

delta waves

the large, slow brain wave associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3

NREM sleep

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep.

SCN

suprachiasmatic nucleus

suprachiasmatic nucleus

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness.

Melatonin

A hormone manufactured by the pineal gland that produces sleepiness.

pineal gland

secretes melatonin

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

dream

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind.

manifest content

according to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content)

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream (as distinct from its manifest content)

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

substance use disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect.

addiction

Compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences.

withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug.

depressants

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

alcohol use disorder

alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use. AKA alcoholism

barbiturates

drugs that depress the central nervous system activity reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

nicotine

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

Ecstacy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations