UNIT ONE (7-12)

Consciousness

State of being aware of & able to perceive one’s thoughts, feelings, sensations, & surroundings

• Involves various levels, from alert wakefulness to altered states such as sleep/meditation

Circadian Rhythm

Natural, internal process that regulates sleep-wake cycle & repeated roughly every 24 hrs. Influences patterns of alertness, hormone release, body temp, & other physiological processes

Jet Lag

Temporary disruption of body’s circadian rhythm due to rapid travel across multiple time zones.

• Can result in fatigue, sleep disturbances, & difficulty concentrating as the body adjusts to new time zone.

Shift Work

Employment schedules that require working outside typical daytime hrs, often disrupting body’s natural circadian rhythm.

• Can → sleep disturbances, fatigue, & inc risk of health problems due to mismatch b/w work hrs & body’s internal clock

Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) Stage 1

Drifting in & out of sleep, lasting only few mins

• Brain waves slow down, muscles relax, & individuals may experience sudden muscle contractions known as hypnic jerks

NREM Stage 2

Light sleep, lasting abt 20 mins

• Brain waves further slow down, & sleep spindles (short bursts of brain activity) & K-complexes (sudden, sharp waveforms) appear

NREM Stage 3

Deepest stage, presence of predominately delta waves

• Restoration of Resources: Process during sleep where body & brain replenish energy, repair tissues, & remove waste products, promoting physical & mental well-being

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

Stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, & muscle paralysis

• Associated w/ inc brain activity, including dreaming, & plays role in memory consolidation & emotional processing

REM Rebound

Phenomenon where body increases time spent in REM sleep after period of REM deprivation

• Occurs as compensatory response to lack of REM sleep, often resulting in more intense & frequent REM sleep episodes

Activation-Synthesis (Dreams)

Theory proposing dreams = result of random neural activity in brainstem during REM sleep, which is then interpreted & synthesized by cerebral cortex → narrative/story

Consolidation Theory (Dreams)

Theory suggesting dreams play role in memory consolidation & processing of memories

• During sleep, brain organizes & integrates info acquired throughout day, contributing → memory storage & learning

Insomia

Sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep, → daytime impairment such as fatigue, mood disturbances, & decreased cognitive function

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden episodes of muscle weakness (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, & hallucinations during sleep onset or awakening

Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing/shallow breathing during sleep, → disrupted sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, & other health problems

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Sleep disorder where individuals physically act out their dreams during REM sleep, potentially causing injury to themselves/others due to loss of muscle paralysis

Sommambulism “Sleepwalking”

Sleep disorder characterized by walking/performing other activities whiles till asleep. Typically occurs during non-REM sleep stages & can result in injuries/accidents

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter brain function, → changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior

• Act on CNS & can be categorized → stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, & opioids

Agonists

Substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors & mimic their effects, enhancing neural activity

Antagonists

Substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors w/o activating them, blocking the effects of neurotransmitters

Reuptake Inhibitors

Medications that block reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron, thereby inc concentration of neurotransmitters in synaptic clef & enhancing neurotransmission

Stimulants

Drugs that inc neutral activity & arousal, → heightened alertness, attention, & energy levels

Caffeine

Natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, & some sodas. Acts on CNS, inc alertness & reducing fatigue by blocking neurotransmitter adenosine

Cocaine

Powerful stimulant derived from coca plant. Inc neural activity, → euphoria, inc energy, & alertness

• Works by blocking reuptake of domaine, serotonin, & norepinphrine

Depressants

Drugs that slow down neural activity & bodily functions. Induce relaxation, sedation, & can lower inhibitions

Alcohol

Depressant drug that slows down neural activity in CNS. Can impair judgement, coordination, & cognitive functions, → relaxation, euphoria, & in higher doses, intoxication

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter perception, mood, & cognitive processes, often causing hallucinations/profound changes in consciousness

Marijuana

Psychoactive drug derived from cannabis plant. Contains THC (alters mood, perception, & cognition). Effects include relaxation, altered perception of time, & heightened sensory experiences

• Can produce some hallucinogenic-like effects in certain individuals, not typically considered true hallucinogen

Opioids

Psychoactive drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain & body, producing pain relief, euphoria, & sedation

Heroin

Highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine. Produces intense euphoria, pain relief, & sedation by binding to opioid receptors in brain

Tolerance

Condition where inc amounts of psychoactive substance are needed to achieve same effects

• Occurs due to brain’s adaptation to the drug, → reduced sensitivity to its effects over time

Withdrawal

Onset of symptoms when a person stops using a psychoactive substance after a prolonged use. Symptoms inc physical discomfort, psychological distress, & cravings for drug

Addiction

Chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking & use, despite harmful consequences. Involves changes in brain structure & function, → loss of control over drug consumption

Sensation

Process by which our sensory receptors & nervous system receive & represent stimulus energies from our environment