sleep, drugs, states of consciousness

Activation-synthesis (dreams)

Brain creates stories from random neural activity; dreaming of flying

Addiction

Compulsive drug use despite harm; craving nicotine daily

Agonists

Increase neurotransmitter activity; morphine mimics endorphins

Alcohol

Depressant; slows brain activity, impaired judgment

Antagonists

Block neurotransmitter activity; naloxone blocks opioids

Caffeine

Stimulant; increases alertness

Cannabis/marijuana

Psychoactive drug; alters perception & memory

Circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle)

Biological 24-hour cycle; feeling sleepy at night

Cocaine

Stimulant; increases energy & euphoria

Consciousness

Awareness of self & environment; feeling alert during class

Consolidation theory (dreams)

Dreams help solidify memories; remembering a test after dreaming

Depressants

Slow brain & body activity; alcohol

Hallucinogens

Alter perception; seeing things that aren’t there

Heroin

Opioid agonist; pain relief & euphoria

Hypnogogic sensations

Pre-sleep sensations; feeling like falling

Hypnosis

Induced focused state; reducing pain during medical procedures

Insomnia

Difficulty falling/staying asleep; staying awake all night

Jet lag

Misaligned circadian rhythm; feeling tired after crossing time zones

Marijuana

Psychoactive drug; changes mood & memory

Meditation

Focused attention to relax; deep breathing exercises

Melatonin

Hormone regulating sleep; helps sleep onset

Memory consolidation

Stabilizing memories during sleep; reviewing notes then sleeping

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder; sudden sleep attacks

Nonconscious

Processes outside awareness; heart beating automatically

NREM stage 1

Light sleep; drifting off

NREM stage 2

Sleep spindles; deeper sleep, less aware

NREM stage 3

Deep sleep; body restores energy

Opioids

Pain-relieving drugs; morphine

Paradoxical sleep

REM sleep; brain active but body paralyzed

Psychoactive drugs

Alter perception/mood; caffeine, alcohol, marijuana

REM rebound

Extra REM after deprivation; more vivid dreams

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement; dreaming occurs

REM sleep behavior disorder

Acting out dreams; kicking during REM

Restoration of resources

Sleep restores energy & repair; muscle recovery during deep sleep

Reuptake inhibitors

Prevent neurotransmitter reabsorption; SSRIs for depression

Shift work

Sleep disruption from schedule; night shift causes tiredness

Sleep apnea

Interrupted breathing during sleep; snoring & fatigue

Somnambulism

Sleepwalking; walking while asleep

Stimulants

Increase brain activity; caffeine

Synergistic effects

Combined drug effects stronger; alcohol + sedatives

Tolerance

Need more drug for same effect; needing more caffeine over time

Wish-fulfillment theory of dreaming

Freud: dreams satisfy desires; dreaming of winning lottery