ap psych - states of consciousness

consciousness

our subjective, moment-to-moment awareness of ourselves and our environment

circadian rhythm

the body’s internal biological clock that regulates regular, daily physiological processes, most notably the sleep-wake cycle, on a roughky 24-hour cycle

hypnogogic state

the transitional state of consciousness between wakefulness and stage 1 NREM sleep

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase in frequency, duration, and intensity after someone has been deprived of REM sleep

activation-synthesis theory of dreams

a biological model of dreaming that says dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural firing during REM sleep

consolidation theory of dreams

states that dreaming is a biological and cognitive process that helps the brain sort, process, stabilize, and transfer recent daily experiences and information from short-term memory into long-term storage

insomnia

a common sleep disorder characterized by a recurring difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep, despite having adequate opportunity and conditions to sleep

narcolepsy

a chronic neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable "sleep attacks" that often lapse directly into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep at inopportune times

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations (pauses) of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings that fragment sleep quality

somnambulism

a parasomnia (an abnormal sleep behavior) in which a person gets up and performs complex motor activities while remaining deeply asleep

REM sleep behavior disorder

a parasomnia in which a person lacks the normal skeletal-muscle paralysis (atonia) that typically occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, causing them to physically act out their vivid or violent dreams

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal, extreme fear, and physiological panic

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that changes perception, mood, thinking, or behavior by altering the function of the central nervous system

tolerance

the reduced response to a psychoactive drug after repeated use

withdrawal

refers to the physical and psychological distress, discomfort, and symptoms that occur when a person abruptly stops or significantly reduces using an addictive substance (such as a drug, alcohol, or nicotine) after prolonged exposure

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug found in tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and vapes

methamphetamine

a highly addictive stimulant that speeds up body functions and triggers a surge of energy and euphoria by stimulating the central nervous system and accelerating the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine

ecstasy

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy by increasing the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain

opiates/narcotics

a class of psychoactive drugs derived from the opium poppy—such as morphine and heroin—that depress neural activity, temporarily lessen pain and anxiety, and induce euphoria

LSD

a powerful psychedelic drug (often classified as a hallucinogen) that distorts perceptions, alters thought processes, and causes sensory experiences or hallucinations without actual sensory input

dependence

a state of reliance—either physical or psychological—on a psychoactive substance or behavior to function normally

describe the cycle of our circadian rhythm and identify some events that can disrupt this biological clock

a circadian rhythm is the biological clock—a regular, 24-to-25-hour cycle of bodily rhythms, physical processes, and psychological states

events that could disturb it: jet leg, shift work, blue light exposure, irregular sleep schedules, caffeine

the stages of sleep and different brain waves in each stage

• Awake & Alert: Beta waves (fast/active)

• Awake & Relaxed: Alpha waves (slow/calm)

• NREM 1: Light sleep; Theta waves; hypnagogic sensations (falling) / hypnic jerks.

• NREM 2: Deeper light sleep; Theta waves; characterized by Sleep Spindles (bursts) & K-Complexes (spikes).

• NREM 3: Deep sleep; Delta waves (slowest/highest amplitude); slow-wave sleep; parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors) occur here; vital for physical restoration.

• REM (Paradoxical): Vivid dreaming; Beta-like waves (active brain, paralyzed body/atonia); REM grows longer throughout the night.

the difference between NREM stages and the REM stage

why is REM known as paradoxical sleep

the effects of sleep deprivation

the key difference is that NREM sleep transitions the brain from light sleep into deep, slow-wave physical recovery (delta waves), while REM sleep features high brain activity (beta-like waves), rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, and temporary muscle paralysis—making it paradoxical sleep

the theories of why we sleep

brain plasticity, restoration, growth, evolution

the main depressants and describe their effects

alcohol: disinhibitor, slows neural processing, disrupts REM sleep

barbiturates (tranquilizers): depress CNS activity, impair memory, judgement and concentration)

benzodiazepines (benzos): reduces severe anxiety, panic, and muscle spasms

the main hallucinogens and describe their effects

LSD: A powerful serotonin agonist that causes intense visual hallucinations, geometric distortions, detachment from reality, and synesthesia (blending of senses, like "hearing colors").

Marijuana (THC): A mild hallucinogen that amplifies sensory sensitivity (colors, sounds, tastes) while relaxing the body, slowing reaction times, and impairing short-term memory formation.

MDMA (Ecstasy): A hybrid stimulant/mild hallucinogen that triggers a massive serotonin release, causing high energy, intense emotional elevation, and profound feelings of empathy/intimacy.