Psychology: Conciousness

Consciousness

Difficult to define, no general consensus, on going debates, usually described as awareness of internal and external stimuli

Internal stimuli

hunger, fatigue

External stimuli

light, tough sensations

2 basic states of conciousness

• sleep: reduced level of consciousness (awareness)

• wake: increased level of consciousness (awareness)

Biological rhythms

internal rhythms/cycles of biological activity

• Menstrual cycle

• “Circadian” -biological rhythms/cycles of biological activity

Hypothalamus

main center of homeostasis in the brain: suprachiasmatic nucleus is a subregion of the hypothalamus that gathers light information to set an “internal clock”

Sleep distruption

• shift work

• jet lag

• drug use

Sleep debt

chronically not getting enough sleep, decreased levels of alertness, poor cognitive performace, etc.

Wakefulness

beta waves (relatively high frequency: 13-30hz)

Sleep stage 1

begin alpha waves (lower frequency; 8-12 hz)

Sleep stage 2

theta waves and sleep spindles and K-complexes (lower frequency; 4-7 hz)

Sleep stage 3

deep sleep, delta waves (lowest frequency; < 3 hz)

REM

“rapid eye movement”- brain waves similar to wakefulness, but no muscle control

Insomina

Difficulty sleeping at least 3x a week for a month, associated with lifestyle factors, drug/medication use, stress, ect.

Parasomnias

group of sleep disorders involving unwanted/uncontrolled motor functions during sleep

Sleep walking

engaging in many activities while actually in a sleep state, can be very dangerous

REM sleep behavior disorders

uncontrolled, high level of physical activity during REM sleep, yelling, screaming, hitting, etc.

Sleep Apnea

episodes during sleep when breathing stops, couple of seconds or longer; sometimes associated w/ brief periods of arousal (waking up)

• more common when someone is overweight and associated with snoring

• many people are unaware that they have sleep apnea, but do notice side effects (fatigue)

• treatment: continuous positive airway (CPAP)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

airway blocked

Central Sleep Apnea

disruptions in signals from brain that regulate breathing

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

occur when an infant stops breathing during sleep and dies

• highest risk in boys and infants <12 months

• babies should be places on back when put to sleep, without suffocation threats

Narcolepsy

Episodes of being unable to resist falling asleep, and falling asleep during inappropriate times, often characterized by catalpas, lack of muscle tone/ muscle weakness, sometimes complete paralysis of voluntary muscles

• triggered by elevated stress

• episodes can last a couple of minutes to an hour

Substance Dependence

• Physical: will experience withdrawal during cessation

• Psychological: emotional need for drug

• Tolerance: associated physiological dependence; more of a drug required to achieve previously experienced effects

  • uses more of the substance than they oringinally intented to and continues to use that substance despite experience significant adverse consequences

    • compulsive patters of use associated w/ physical and/or psychological dependence

Stimulants (dopamine agonists)

Cocaine, amphetamines (including some ADHD medications; Adderall) methamphetamine, MDMA

Stimulant effects on body

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temp

Stimulants effects while using

Increased alertness, mild euphoria, decreased appetites, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, heightened sensitivity to physical stimulus, high doses can cause brain toxicity and death

Depressants (GABA agonists)

Alcohol, Benzodiazepines

Depressants effect on body

decreased heart rate and blood pressure

Depressant effects when used

increased relaxation, decrease inhibitions, high doses induce sleep and motor disturbance, memory loss, decreases respiratory function, and death

Opiates (natural) Opioid (synthetic)

opium, heroin, fentanyl, morphine, oxytocin, vidicon, methadone, and pain relievers

Opiate effects on body

decreased pain, pupil dilation, decreased gut motility, decreased respiratory function

Opiates effect while using

pain relief, euphoria, sleepiness, high doses can cause death due to respiratory depression

Hallucinogens

marijuana, LSD, peyote, misalign DMT, dissociative anesthetics including ketamine. and PCP

Hallucinogens effect on body

Increased heart rate and blood pressure that may dissipate overtime

Hallucinogens effects while using

mild to intense perceptual changes w/ high variablitly in effects based on stain, method of ingestion, and individual difference