variations in consciousness

consciousness

ones moment to moment awareness of self and environment along with mental activity

circadian rhythm

the 24 hour biological cycle that is found in humans and other species where changes in body temp, hormonal secretions and other bodily functions take place

natural circadian rhythm

the sleep-wake cycle

suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN)

sends messages to the pineal glandineal glandp

pineal gland

secretes melatonin (causing sleep)

melatonin

hormone with a relaxing effect on the body, inducing sleep

night owls

circadian rhythm peaks later in the day, resulting in them staying up later at night

morning lark

circadian rhythm peaks earlier in the day, resulting in them waking up earlier

jet lag

has a major impact on ones cr due to the travel over different time zones (most severe from west to east)

sleep

one of the most common altered states of consciousness (considered active and complex)

non rem stages of sleep

n1, n2, n3 (n4 is not used anymore)

n1

considered to be the “light-sleep” cycle where you can wake up the easiest (lasts 10-12 min)

brain wave become more irregular

n2

deeper level of sleep which is considered the transitional phase (lasts around 10-25 min)

characterized by sleep spindles

sleep spindles

a brief outburst of brainwave activity which lasts from 1-2 seconds

n3

considered THE deepest sleep level of sleep where the delta waves dominate (takes less than an hour to get to this stage) difficult to wake up from this stage

being woken up from this stage will result in grogginess and confusion

1 REM/ REM

“rapid-eye-movement”, where there is high arousal and frequently dreaming

brainwave activity is comparable to daytime levels

paradoxical sleep

when the body is highly aroused, yet there is very little movement

REM sleep paralysis

the inability to move muscles during REM sleep

REM-rebound effect

an increase in the amount of REM sleep after being deprived of REM sleep

this can lead to fatigue, irritability, and inattention

effects of sleep deprivation

1. increase in errors/mistakes

2. increase in injuries

3. impaired learning

4. decrease effectiveness of immune system

5. vehicle accidents

insomnia

difficulty in falling/staying asleep (1-2 months) and is associated with depression and anxiety

narcolepsy

an abrupt shift from an active or emotional waking state into REM sleep

very dangerous disorder

some may experience cataplexy (collapse or becoming immobile)

sleep apnea

sudden stops in breathing and severe snoring

sudden infant death syndrome

when infants stop breathing during the night, often resulting in death

nightmares

distressing/high strung stage 1-REM sleep dreams

happen more towards the morning when it’s time to get up