Altering States of Consciousness

What are psychoactive drugs? 3 main types?

• chemicals that influence consciousness or behaviour by altering brain’s chemical signalling (neurotransmitters)

• includes:

  • depressants

  • stimulants

  • hallucinogens

What are depressants? What do they do? What can higher doses need?

• decrease activity levels in nervous system

  • e.g. alcohol, barbiturates, opioids

• lowers levels of arousal, causing calmness/sleepiness

  • often used to treat insomnia

• higher doses can impair thinking, induce comas, and stop breathing

What is alcohol myopia? What does it

• narrowing of attention to focus on most salient information (tunnel vision)

  • coupled with impairment in top-down control over impulses

• may contribute to impulsive behaviour, risky decisions, & aggression

What are stimulants? Examples?

• increase activity levels in nervous system

• Caffeine: arousal, concentration, athletic performance

• Nicotine: higher HR/BP/arousal

• Cocaine, Meth: euphoria, energy

What are Hallucinogens? What are most psychedelics structurally similar to?

• distort sensory perception & can trigger sensory experiences (hallucinations)

  • e.g. LSD, PCP, THC

• psychedelics structurally similar to serotonin

What is MDMA? What are the effects?

• both hallucinogenic & stimulant properties

• chemically close to mescaline & meth

• produces mild hallucinations, feelings of elation, empathy, and closeness to others

What is hypnosis? What can it produce/help?

• altered state of consciousness involving focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and enhanced response to suggestion

• can produce analgesia (pain reduction)

• can help manage stress & psychiatric symptoms (depression/anxiety)

• can help produce behavioural change (e.g. quitting smoking)

What are the myths of hypnosis?

• Hypnosis cannot help recovery “lost” memories

• Cannot be used to compel subjects to perform acts they otherwise couldn’t be persuaded to do

How does hypnosis work? Who is most likely to be hypnotized?

• may represent extreme form of selective attention

  • focusing on “what” of hypnotist’s suggestion (but neglecting why)

• highly hypnotizable people are often able to focus intensely on specific tasks, or become deeply absorbed in activities

• ADHD medication may enhance hypnotizability

What is “free will”?

• ability to consciously control our actions and decisions