AP Psychology: Sleep & Drugs Unit

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Circadian Rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle, can change with age and experience

How long does one full sleep cycle last?

90 minutes, around 4-5 per night

How many stages of sleep are in one sleep cycle?

4 stages

alpha waves

the relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state

NREM1 (theta waves)

slowed breathing and irregular brainwaves, hypnagogic sensations may occur, light sleep

NREM2 (Theta Waves)

sleep spindles may occur, a person in this stage is clearly asleep though can be awoken with relative ease

NREM3 (Delta Waves)

slow wave deep sleep, some parasomnias may occur

REM

rapid eye movement, vivid dreams commonly occur in this stage. brain waves are similar to that of awake state. brain induces paralysis to stop movement. you spend 20-25% of the night in this stage, about 100 minutes.

NREM

non rapid eye movement, dreamless sleep, slow brain wave, slow & regular heart & breathing rate, low BP, still

hypnagogic sensations

bizarre experiences similar to hallucinations that may be incorporated into memories, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

sleep spindles

short bursts of brain waves detected in stage 2 sleep

How long do newborns sleep?

16 hours

How long does the average adult sleep?

7-8 hours

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

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

paradoxical sleep (REM)

The body is internally aroused, with waking-like brain activity, yet asleep and externally calm.

Sleep Stages in a Night

cycling through the 4 stages- light sleep to deep sleep to light sleep to REM sleep (repeat)

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep, worsens from middle age on. treated with improved sleep hygiene. quick fixes like sleeping pills & alcohol reduce REM, can lead to tolerance, and are generally not suggested.

obstructive sleep apnea

a sleep disorder in which the person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep, associated with obesity. common treatment is the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times. treatments include drugs to relieve sleepiness.

sleep walking (somnoambulism)

Walking and performing tasks while asleep that occurs in NREM 3, sometimes occurs with sleep talking, most common in children

night terrors (sleep terrors)

Abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and feelings of panic, with increased heart and breathing rates. Mostly affects children.

sleep paralysis

A temporary condition in which a person is unable to move, most common in people with sleep apnea or narcolepsy, often frightening. Main treatment is improving sleep hygiene. It is linked to REM sleep

Good sleep hygiene practices

-exercise regularly, but NOT within 2 hours of bedtime

-limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine within 4 hours of bedtime

-limit fluids before bedtime

-engage in muscle relaxation exercises

-have a light carbohydrate snack before bedtime

-NO TV or screen time before bed

-sleep on a regular schedule

Chronic sleep debt is most likely to promote

obesity

Michigan's Good Samaritan Law

prevents drug possession charges against those that seek medical assistance for an overdose in certain circumstances. This law makes saving lives the priority during a drug overdose, not criminal prosecutions of illegal drug users.It also protects those who, in good faith, administer Narcan. Minors recieving emergency treatment have their parents notified, minors recieving nonemergency treatment have a choice.

manifest content (Freud)

the remembered story line of a dream

Latent Content (Freud)

a dream's true underlying meaning

sleep phase delay

a natural shift in teenager's circadian rhythms, getting tired later

sleep inertia

a sleep-to-wake transition effect characterised by grogginess, low alertness and disorientation that can interfere with behavioural and cognitive functioning

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors such as nightmares or sleepwalking that occur during sleep.

Depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, and Ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. They increase energy and self-confidence.

Hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD and marijuana, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Alcohol

Disinhibits, slowing brain activity, slowing reactions, slurring speech, deteriorates skilled performance, disrupts memory formation, and reduces skilled awareness. It impacts the neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, serotonin, & glutamate

Barbiturates

drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment. It can be used to induce sleep & reduce anxiety, can impair memory & judgement.

mixing depressants (like alcohol & benzodiazepine) can be

lethal

Opiates

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine, codeine, and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. They're connected to endorphins. Over time, endorphin production decreases, cravings begin, withdrawal symptoms occur, and tolerance develops, increasing amounts needed to produce an effect.

What legal drug (besides nicotine) is also a stimulant?

caffeine

Cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness, euphoria, and heightened reactions. Adverse effects include emotional disturbances, suspiciousness, convulsions, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure. It depletes the brain's supply of dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine.

Amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing sped-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes. It triggers the release of dopamine, leading to increased energy & euphoria. after, there may be irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, social isolation, depression, & violent outbursts. As baseline dopamine levels drop, leading to depressed functioning. They're used to treat narcolepsy.

Methamphetamine (Meth)

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

Nicotine

The addictive drug found in tobacco, flooding the brain with epinephrine & norepinephrine that diminishes appetite, boosts alertness & mental efficiency, calms anxiety, & reduces pain sensitivity.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy. It blocks serotonin reuptake, prolonging the "feel-good" effect. Negative effects include dehydration (which can lead to overheating, increased BP, & death,) damage to serotonin-producing neurons to decrease their output, suppression of the immune system, impaired memory, slowed thought, & sleep disruption

Marijuana (THC)

a mild hallucinogen causing enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation, but could adversely cause disrupted memory or lung damage from smoke. It can lead to agitation, disinhibition, euphoria, impaired motor coordination, perception, & reaction time, and intensified anxiety & depression

LSD (acid)

Powerful hallucinogenic drug; begins with geometric forms, then images, then past emotional experiences, then feel separated from body (like near-death experience.) Emotions will vary from euphoria to detachment to panic.

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, a physical effect

Habituation

accustomization with a drug's effects, a psychological effect

dependence

the condition that results when the brain develops a chemical need for a drug and cannot function normally without it, physical reliance

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences, compulsive and harmful substance use or behaviors.

withdrawal

A group of symptoms that occur when a dependent person stops taking a drug- they vary from drug to drug, but often include cravings, sleep problems, headaches, nausea, and feeling restless or agitated

Naloxone (Narcan)

Opiod antagonist, used in the case of an opioid overdose.

harm reduction

a recent public health position that advocates reducing the harmful consequences of drug use for the user as well as for society as a whole

harm reduction strategies

-Needle-exchange programs

-Changing legal sanctions and increasing treatment services

-Minimizing potential hazards with drug use rather than the use itself

-Not mixing substances

-Start low & go slow

hypnic jerk

a body spasm that may occur during NREM stage 1 sleep, sensation of dropping or falling

sleep dept

deficiency caused by not getting the amount of sleep that one requires for optimal functioning, cumulative

jet lag

collection of symptoms brought on by travel from one time zone to another that results from the mismatch between our internal circadian cycles and our environment

REM rebound

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

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

Circuits wired together during the waking period are consolidated, or strengthened, during sleep

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

a neurological disorder in which the person does not become paralyzed during REM sleep and thus acts out dreams

Activation Synthesis

the idea that dreams are the result of the cerebral cortex interpreting and organizing random flashes of brain activity, originating in the lower brain structures, especially the pons