Understanding Sleep and Biological Rhythms

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to sleep, its biological rhythms, brainwaves associated with different sleep states, and theories about dreams.

Biological rhythms

Cycles in the body such as temperature, hormone levels, and alertness.

Circadian rhythm

A 24-hour cycle controlled by the SCN in the brain influencing the sleep-wake cycle.

Wakefulness

A state marked by high awareness, thinking, and behavior.

Sleep

A state of low physical activity and reduced awareness.

Alpha brainwaves

Brain activity associated with being awake but relaxed.

Theta brainwaves

Brain activity associated with light sleep.

Delta brainwaves

Brain activity associated with deep sleep.

REM sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep characterized by dreaming and muscle paralysis.

Insomnia

The most common sleep disorder, often linked with depression.

Lucid dreams

Dreams in which the dreamer is aware they are dreaming.

Freud's theory of dreams

Suggests that dreams reveal hidden feelings and have both manifest and latent content.

Jung's theory of dreams

Posits that dreams contain universal symbols reflecting the collective unconscious.

Hormones during sleep

Melatonin, FSH, LH, and growth hormone are hormones released during sleep.

Sleep cycle duration

The complete cycle of sleep typically lasts 90 minutes.