AP Psych - States of Consciousness: Sleep and Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter mood, perception, or behavior

Significance: Affect brain function and psychological processes

Example: Caffeine, alcohol

Stimulants

Increase neural activity and alertness

Significance: Boost energy and focus

Example: Amphetamines

Depressants

Decrease neural activity and calm anxiety

Significance: Induce sleep or reduce stress

Example: Alcohol

Hallucinogens

Cause sensory distortions and altered perception

Significance: Can produce hallucinations and altered consciousness

Example: LSD

Opioids

Drugs that relieve pain

Significance: Treat severe pain but are highly addictive

Example: Morphine

Tolerance

Reduced response to repeated drug use

Significance: Requires higher doses for same effect

Example: Needing more caffeine for same alertness

Addiction/Dependence

Compulsive drug use despite negative consequences

Significance: Major health and social problem

Example: Heroin addiction

Withdrawal Symptoms

Physical and psychological effects from stopping drug use

Significance: Challenges recovery and quitting

Example: Nausea and shaking after stopping opioids

Varying levels of consciousness (sleep/wakefulness)

States of awareness ranging from alertness to deep sleep

Significance: Crucial for understanding behavior and cognition

Example: Being awake vs. in REM sleep

Circadian Rhythm

Internal biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycles

Significance: Guides sleep patterns and hormone release

Example: Feeling sleepy at night and awake in the morning

Stages of sleep

Different phases including NREM and REM

Significance: Each stage has unique brain activity and functions

Example: Deep sleep in NREM 3

EEG

Measures brain wave activity

Significance: Monitors sleep stages

Example: Detecting REM vs. NREM sleep

NREM 1, 2, 3

Progressively deeper stages of non-REM sleep

Significance: Important for restoration and memory

Example: NREM 3 associated with deep sleep

Hypnagogic sensations

Hallucinations or sensations during sleep onset

Significance: Shows transition from wakefulness to sleep

Example: Feeling like falling while drifting off

REM (paradoxical sleep)

Stage of sleep with rapid eye movement

Significance: Associated with vivid dreaming

Example: Dreaming during REM sleep

REM Rebound

Increased REM sleep after deprivation

Significance: Illustrates sleep homeostasis

Example: Longer REM periods after all-night study

Activation-Synthesis Theory (dreams)

Dreams result from brain interpreting random neural activity

Significance: Explains bizarre dream content

Example: Dreaming of flying after neural firing

Consolidation Theory (dreams)

Dreams help store memories

Significance: Sleep strengthens learning and memory

Example: Remembering vocabulary after sleep

Why we sleep: memory consolidation and restoration

Sleep restores body and brain and consolidates learning

Significance: Essential for cognitive and physical health

Example: Better memory after a full night's sleep

Sleep disorders

Conditions disrupting normal sleep patterns

Significance: Affect health and daily functioning

Example: Insomnia, narcolepsy

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Significance: Causes fatigue and impaired cognition

Example: Trouble sleeping before exams

Narcolepsy

Sudden uncontrollable sleep attacks

Significance: Disrupts normal daily activity

Example: Falling asleep while talking

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Acting out dreams physically

Significance: Shows malfunction in REM paralysis

Example: Punching or kicking during REM

Sleep Apnea

Repeated stopping of breathing during sleep

Significance: Reduces oxygen and disrupts sleep

Example: Snoring with pauses and gasping

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking during NREM sleep

Significance: Can pose safety risks

Example: Walking around house while asleep