AP Psychology: Drugs, Sleep Stages, and Dream Theories

Depressants; depress=down

Psychoactive drugs that decrease central nervous system (CNS) activity, slowing down brain and body functions.

drowsiness, poor coordination, slurred speech, slower reactions

Opioids (depressants); opiods=opposite of pain

Drugs that relieve pain by mimicking natural endorphins and activating opioid receptors in the brain. Increases dopamine activity.

Agonists for endorphins.

Stimulants; stimulate=speed up

Psychoactive drugs that increase central nervous system (CNS) activity, speeding up brain and body functions.

inc. energy, alertness, hard to sleep, restlessness

Hallucinogens; hallucinations

Work on the CNS to produce altered sensory and perceptual distortions and altered thinking.

hallucinations, distorted sense of time, euphoria, paranoia

Substance use disorders (long-term)

psychological disorders that are characterized by loss of control over urges to use a psychoactive substance, even though such use may impair functioning or cause distress

Tolerance

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

Withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Physical dependence

When the body relies on the drug in order to function properly.

Detoxification

The physical process of freeing the body of an addictive substance while managing withdrawal symptoms

psychological dependence

a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

Substance-induced disorders

Mental or behavioral problems caused by using a substance or withdrawing from one.

Substance intoxication

Temporary changes in behavior, thinking, or physical functioning caused by recently using a substance.

Substance Withdrawal

Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone reduces or stops using a substance after developing dependence.

Anxiety, irritability, cravings, difficulty sleeping, and physical discomfort

Effortful processes; takes effort to remember

Encoding information into memory through conscious attention and deliberate effort.

Automatic processes

Encoding information into memory unconsciously, without intentionally trying to remember it.

subconscious

Mental processes that happen outside your conscious awareness.

Circadian Rhythm

The body's natural 24-hour internal clock that regulates sleep and wakefulness.

early chronotype

an individual who, because of biological differences, typically wakes up earlier and falls asleep earlier (also known as "morning people" or "larks")

late chronotype

an individual who, because of biological differences, typically stays up later and finds it more challenging to wake up early (also known as "night people" or "night owls")

SCN

A group of neurons in the hypothalamus that controls the body's circadian rhythm (24-hour sleep-wake cycle).

Pineal Gland/Melatonin; pineal=pons

The pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and the circadian rhythm.

Sleep deprivation

a sufficient lack of restorative sleep over a cumulative period so as to cause physical or psychiatric symptoms and affect routine performance or tasks

Restoration theory; restoration=recharge

The theory that sleep allows the brain and body to repair, recover, and restore energy.

Memory Organization and Consolidation Theory; sort and save

The theory that sleep helps the brain organize, process, and strengthen memories, transferring important information into long-term storage.

Microsleep; micro=quick

A very brief episode of sleep that happens involuntarily, often when someone is extremely tired.

REM rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep)

EEG; electrical

A test that records the brain's electrical activity using electrodes placed on the scalp.

Jet Lag

a disruption of circadian rhythms due to crossing time zones

Shift work

Working at times outside the typical daytime schedule (such as overnight), which can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm.

Beta waves; beta=busy brain

Fast, low-amplitude brain waves associated with being awake, alert, and actively thinking.

Alpha waves; alpha=at ease

Brain waves associated with being awake but relaxed, especially when your eyes are closed.

Sleep spindles; spindles=spikes

Short bursts of rapid brain-wave activity that occur during Stage 2 NREM sleep.

K-complex

very high amplitude pattern of brain activity associated with stage 2 sleep that may occur in response to environmental stimuli

Delta waves; delta=deep sleep

Very slow, high-amplitude brain waves associated with deep sleep (Stage 3 NREM).

NREM

non rapid eye movement

NREM stage 1

A few minutes, light sleep, easily aroused, gradual reduction in vital signs

Alpha to theta

NREM stage 2

Irregular EEG with sleep spindles and k complexes (short high-amplitude bursts); arousal is more difficult

NREM stage 3

The deepest and most restorative sleep stage; includes slow-wave sleep.

delta

hypnagogic sensation

As you are falling asleep, you may have a sensation of falling (where your body may suddenly jerk) or floating weightlessly. happens in NREM stage 1

hypnic jerks

Sudden, involuntary muscle movements that happen as you are falling asleep. happens in NREM stage 1

Somnambulism

the condition of walking or performing some other activity without awakening; also known as sleepwalking. happens in NREM stage 3

paradoxical sleep

REM when muscles are deeply relaxed but there are high levels of brain activity

insomnia

Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

Sleep apnea

a disorder in which the person stops breathing for brief periods while asleep

REM sleep behavior disorder

a sleep disorder in which normal REM paralysis does not occur; instead, twitching, talking, or even kicking or punching may occur, often acting out one's dream

Somnambulism (sleepwalking)

Arising and wandering about while remaining asleep.

activation-synthesis theory

theory that dreams reflect inputs from brain activation originating in the pons, which the forebrain then attempts to weave into a story

Consolidation Theory

The theory that sleep helps strengthen the neural connections that form our memories.