AP PSYCH - unit 1.2: consciousness, sleep, and psychoactive drugs

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness

circadian rhythm

our biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

jet lag

when flying across multiple time zones disrupts your natural sleep rhythms; shift workers experience similar symptoms

EEG patterns

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface; these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scale (ex: alpha, theta, delta waves)

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

NREM-1 and REM

which two sleep stages have alpha waves?

delta waves

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

NREM-3

which sleep stage has delta waves?

NREM-2

which sleep stage has theta waves?

NREM sleep

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

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 (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active

paradoxical sleep

he type of sleep encountered during REM when internally, the brain and body are active; while externally, the body appears calm and inactive

hypnogogic sensations

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

insomnia

a sleep disorder characterized by 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

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

sleep apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings

somnambulism

a sleep disorder in which one sleepwalks or engages in complex behaviors

activation-synthesis theory

theory that we dream because the brain attempts to make sense of neural activity during sleep

consolidation theory

theory that dreaming occurs because the brain takes information from the day and consolidates it into long term memory

memory consolidation theory

theory that we sleep for organizing memories into long-term memory

restoration theory

theory states that sleep is essential for restoring the physical body and brain that is worked during the day

REM rebound

the tendency to REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that alter perceptions by altering the brain

psychological

of, affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the mental and emotional state of a person

physiological

relation to normal functions of living organisms and their parts

withdrawal

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

addiction

brain condition that leads to user craving the drug despite adverse effects

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

stimulants

psychoactive drugs that increase neural activity, speed up bodily functions, and increase dopamine and serotonin

nicotine, cocaine

what are some examples of stimulants?

depressants

psychoactive drugs that reduce neural activity and slow bodily functions

alcohol

what is an example of a depressant?

hallucinogens

psychoactive drugs that distort perceptions and create sensory images that are not there

marijuana

what is an example of a hallucinogen?

opioids

psychoactive drugs that relieve pain and anxiety

heroine

what is an example of an opioid?

purposeful

conscious processing is _____________

automatic

unconscious processing is __________

Randy Gardner

whose study of staying awake started research about the effect of sleep deprivation?

decreased alertness, problems with memory, poor decision-making

what are symptoms of jet lag?

90

every __ minutes, we cycle through the four sleep stages

NREM-1

this sleep stage includes hypnagogic sensations, unawareness of transition to sleep

hallucinations and myoclonic jerks

what are the two types of hypnagogic sensations?

hallucinations

sensory experience without the stimulus

myoclonic jerk

jerk to awaken

NREM-2

this sleep stage is where heart rate and breathing slows and sleep spindles can occur

sleep spindles

bursts of activity in the brain that aid in memory

NREM-3

this is the deepest stage of sleep

REM

sleep stage with paradoxical sleep and dreams; brain stem shuts down movement

increases

REM frequency __________ with sleep

about 5 cycles a night

about how many times do humans cycle through the four sleep stages every night?

decreases

NREM-3 __________ throughout the night

yes

do sleep stages vary in length?

as you get older, you need less sleep and you wake up more frequently

how does age affect sleep patterns?

humans

what is the only mammal that willingly delays sleep?

caffeine

what is the most used drug in the world?

- shortens life expectancy

- increases depression by 72%

- memory is decreased

- weakens immune system

- causes weight gain

- slows reaction time

what are the effects of sleep loss?

by 72%

by what percent does sleep loss increase depression?

it allows brain activity that controls judgement and inhibitions

what does alcohol allow?

it affects the cerebellum and the prefrontal lobe

where does alcohol affect the brain?

reaction time, memory, and the frontal lobe

what does alcohol impact?

reaction and processing slows

how does alcohol impact reaction time?

it eliminates REM sleep and causes long-term memory loss

how does alcohol impact memory?

it lowers inhibitions

how is the frontal lobe impacted by alcohol?

- changes the structure of the brain

- brain shrinks (enlarged ventricles)

what are the effects of alcohol use disorder?

women

are men or women more suspectable to alcohol use disorder?

expectancy effect

the tendency for someone's behavior to be influenced from expectations

yes

is nicotine highly addictive?

7 seconds

how long does it take for nicotine to reach the brain?

euphoria

cocaine: very addictive stimulant that quickly produces ________

severe crash with an extreme craving days later

what happens after the use of cocaine?

cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine and serotonin, so now the body has extra so it creates a euphoric rush. when the cocaine level drops, the absence of these neurotransmitters produces a crash.

how does cocaine impact the brain?

near-death experiences

an altered state of a consciousness reported after a close brush with death

- increases sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, and smells

- relaxes and disinhibits

what are the effects of marijuana?

- lessens pain and anxiety

- pupils constrict

- breathing slows

- becomes lethargic

- high addiction level

what are the effects of heroine?

over time the brain stops producing endorphins, its own opiates. if the artificial opioid is stopped the brain lacks endorphins.

why is there an extreme discomfort of withdrawal when using heroine and/or other opiods?

dual processing

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

agonist

a drug molecule that increases a neurotransmitter's action

ex. caffeine, alcohol, marijuana

antagonist

a drug molecule that inhibits or blocks reuptake of a neurotransmitter's action