Sleep and Dreaming

Sleep

the periodic loss of natural consciousness, distinct from coma, anesthesia, or hibernation.

motor cortex

active during sleep, but its commands are blocked by the brain stem

Rapid Eye Movement (REM)

experienced during a deep sleep, the eyes and their muscles remain active

Circadian Rhythm

generally based on sunlight, the cycle our bodies use to induce both sleeping (melatonin) and waking (acetylcholine) signals

First Stage of Sleep

Waking Beta

Second stage of sleep

Waking Alpha (relaxed, but awake state)

Third stage of sleep

Non-REM 1 (can experience hallucinations, falling, images, jerking, etc)

Fourth Stage of sleep

Non-REM 2

Fifth stage of sleep

Non-REM 3 (delta brain waves- deep sleep)

Sixth Stage of sleep

REM sleep for roughly 10 minutes with vivid dreaming

Insomnia

consistent lack of sleep and/or inability to maintain sleep

Narcolepsy

uncontrolled bouts of falling asleep (short or long)

Sleep apnea

temporary seizing of breath and micro-wake ups

Night terrors

an N-REM3 and REM sleep disc order that causes subjects (usually young boys) to experience fright or dread

Dreams

vivid, hallucinations that are often of regular, familiar details in life (often our fears and daily activities)

Psychoactive Drugs

substances that change perception and moods, meaning the sensory information is the same but our perception of that information is altered

Substance Use Disorder

the continued craving and use despite significant disruption or physical risk

addiction

occurs when bodies chemically adapt to these drugs, and require great amounts each time to achieve an altered state or just to feel normal and devoid of pain

withdrawal

severe discomfort and distress after discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

The three primary types of drugs

depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol

a disinhibitor which slows brain activity that controls judgement and inhibitions

Barbiturates

tranquilizers, like Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal

Opiates

endorphin-mimicking painkillers that bring a rush of warm, euphoric, and lifting feelings that can disrupt natural endorphin use and creation

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions, causing a rise in breathing, heartbeat, energy, etc.

cocaine

like nicotine, provides a rush of euphoria, but depleted one’s own dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine by blocking reuptake

Methaphetamine

increases dopamine, euphoria, alertness, and energy for 8 hours, followed by a crash of irritability, social isolation, depression possible seizures, etc.

Hallucinogens

drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

LSD

presents a steam of uninterrupted fantastic pictures, shapes, colors, etc.

THC

found in canabis, can evoke both agitation and hallucinations by amplifying colors, sounds, tastes, smells, and can produce a euphoric high

Ecstasy (MDMA)

both a stimulant and mild hallucinogen; triggers dopamine release and floods neurons with serotonin and blocks reuptake