--SLEEP/DREAM/DRUGS--

Consciousness

The awareness of everything going on around us at any given moment used to organize behavior

Waking Consciousness

Time when thoughts, feelings, and sensations are clear and organized and a person is alert

Altered States of Consciousness

A shift in mental activity compared to waking consciousness

Circadian Rhythm

A 24-hour cycle of bodily rhythms

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain that controls the sleep-wake cycle

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The body’s internal clock that is sensitive to light

Melatonin

Hormone released by the pineal gland as light fades to promote sleep

Micro Sleeps

Brief sidesteps into sleep lasting only seconds

Sleep Deprivation

Significant loss of sleep that impairs functioning

Adaptive Theory

Theory that sleep evolved to protect organisms from predators during dangerous times

Restorative Theory

Theory that sleep is necessary for physical health and bodily repair

REM Sleep

Sleep stage with rapid eye movement where most dreaming occurs

Non-REM Sleep

Sleep stages without rapid eye movement, including stages 1–4

Alpha Waves

Brain waves associated with relaxation or light sleep

Theta Waves

Brain waves associated with early stages of sleep

Non-REM Stage 1

Stage where theta waves increase and alpha waves decrease

Hypnagogic Images

Brief dreamlike images or sensations seen while falling asleep

Hypnic Jerk

Sensation of falling that may cause the body to jerk awake

Non-REM Stage 2

Stage where body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and sleep spindles appear

Sleep Spindles

Brief bursts of brain activity during stage 2 sleep

Delta Waves

Large slow brain waves seen in deep sleep

Non-REM Stage 3

Stage where delta waves first appear

Non-REM Stage 4

Deepest sleep stage where delta waves dominate and waking is difficult

REM Paralysis

Temporary paralysis of voluntary muscles during REM sleep

REM Rebound

Increase in REM sleep after REM deprivation

Nightmares

Bad dreams occurring during REM sleep

REM Behavior Disorder

Disorder where muscle paralysis during REM fails and people act out dreams

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

Walking or moving during stage 3 sleep

Night Terrors

Intense fear experienced during stage 3 sleep

Insomnia

Inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get quality sleep

Sleep Apnea

Disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly during sleep

CPAP Machine

Device used to help people with sleep apnea breathe during sleep

Narcolepsy

Disorder causing sudden uncontrollable episodes of REM sleep during the day

Manifest Content

The actual visible content of a dream

Latent Content

The hidden psychological meaning of a dream

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis

Theory that dreams result from the brain interpreting random neural activity

Activation-Information-Mode Model

Theory that information gathered while awake influences dream content

Hypnosis

State of heightened suggestibility involving focused attention and relaxation

Basic Suggestion Effect

Tendency for hypnotized people to act as though behavior is outside their control

Hidden Observer

The conscious part of the mind that remains aware during hypnosis

Social-Cognitive Theory

Theory that hypnosis is role-playing rather than an altered state

Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs that alter thinking, perception, memory, or consciousness

Physical Dependence

Condition where the body cannot function normally without a drug

Drug Tolerance

Need for larger doses of a drug to achieve the same effect

Withdrawal

Physical symptoms caused by stopping use of a drug

Psychological Dependence

Belief that a drug is needed for emotional well-being

Stimulants

Drugs that increase activity in the nervous system

Amphetamines

Lab-created stimulants used to stay awake or increase alertness

Methamphetamine

Highly addictive amphetamine commonly used recreationally

Amphetamine Psychosis

Paranoid and delusional state caused by heavy amphetamine use

Cocaine

Powerful stimulant derived from coca leaves

Nicotine

Addictive stimulant found in tobacco

Caffeine

Mild stimulant that increases alertness

Depressants

Drugs that reduce nervous system activity

Barbiturates

Major tranquilizers with sedative effects that can be highly addictive

Benzodiazepines

Minor tranquilizers used to reduce anxiety and stress

Alcohol

Common depressant that lowers inhibitions and enhances GABA activity

Binge Drinking

Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Disorder in babies caused by alcohol use during pregnancy

Narcotics

Drugs derived from opium that relieve pain and produce euphoria

Opium

Narcotic drug derived from the opium poppy

Morphine

Pain-relieving narcotic derived from opium

Heroin

Highly addictive narcotic derived from morphine

Methadone

Opium derivative used to treat heroin addiction without causing a strong high

Hallucinogens

Drugs that distort perceptions and sensations

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Potent hallucinogen derived from ergot fungus

PCP (Phenyl Cyclohexyl Piperidine)

Dangerous drug that can act as a hallucinogen, depressant, or stimulant

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Hallucinogenic amphetamine that can cause dehydration and coma

Mescaline

Hallucinogen derived from the peyote cactus

Psilocybin

Hallucinogen found in “magic mushrooms”

Marijuana

Drug from the hemp plant that alters mood, perception, and sense of time

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Active ingredient in marijuana responsible for psychoactive effects