Psych Mod 16-18

sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness (distant from unconsciousness)

circadian rhythm

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle (ex: temperature and wakefulness)

REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur (also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed but other body systems are active)

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed awake state

NREM sleep

non-rapid eye movement sleep; encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

hallucinations

false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

sleep spindles

bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain-wave activity

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM3

suprachiasmatic nucleus

a pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness

Why do we need sleep?

• protects

• recuperates and repairs

• restore memories

• supports growth

Lack of sleep can make you

• gain weight

• suppress immune cells that battle viral infections and cancers

• slows reactions and increases errors on visual attention tasks

insomnia

recurring problems in falling 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 sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings (associated with obesity)

night terrors

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep and are seldom remembered

Nightmares occur during

early morning REM sleep

Sleepwalking occurs during

NREM3 sleep

Sleeptalking occurs during

any stage

dream

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind

Sigmund Freud said dreams provide a psychic safety value that

discharged otherwise unacceptable feelings

manifest content

according to Freud, the symbolic, remembered story line of a dream (as distinct from its latent, or hidden, content)

latent content

according to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream

Information-processing perspective

says dreams may help sift, sort, and fix the day’s experiences in our memory

What is dreams physiological function?

provide sleeping brain with periodic stimulation

Activation-synthesis theory

dreams are brain’s attempt to synthesize random neural activity

Damage to where may impair dreaming

limbic system or the visual centers

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Cognitive devlopment

dream content reflects dreamers’ level of cognitive development (their knowledge and understanding)

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

substance use disorder

a disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

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 effects

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

what works at the brain’s synapses

depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions (ex. alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates)

alcohol use disorder

(alcoholism) alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use (slows the sympathetic nervous system)

barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

disinhibitor

slow brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitors

opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (ex. caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy)

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes (ex. methamphetamine)

methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

Ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen (produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin=producing neurons and to mood and cognition)

hallucinogens

psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (ex. LSD)

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death ; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug, also known as acid

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

Marijuana

usually mild hallucinogenic, amplifies sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, and smells (impairs motor coordination, perceptual skills and reaction time)