AP Psych Altered States of Consciousness

benefits of sleep

restores our body's immune system, conserves our energy, improves our memory

effects of sleep deprivation

weight gain, depression, weakened immune system, lowered energy levels

sleep stage order

NREM 1-3 then REM

sleep cycle changes

in each round throughout a night you spend less time in Stage 3 and more time in REM

REM sleep

marked by rapid eye movement, high level of brain activity, deep muscle relaxation, and dreaming

paradoxical sleep

another term for REM sleep since your body is asleep but your brain waves resemble someone wide awake

sleep differences by age

babies sleep 16 hours a day, you sleep less as you get older, seniors only sleep 5-6 hours

circadian rhythm

internal biological clock that regulates physiological responses in approximately a day; gets disrupted by jet lag

melatonin

hormone that induces sleep and regulates circadian rhythm

sleep apnea

a disorder where a person has trouble breathing while sleeping

narcolepsy

suddenly falling asleep during the day in a "sleep attack"

activation-synthesis model

says the cortex constructs a dream to make sense of neurons firing random signals during REM sleep

hypnosis

controversial since there is not a reliable way to tell when someone is in this state, and not enough empirical evidence for its effectiveness

agonist

a drug whose molecules act like neurotransmitters by hooking onto the ends of neurons and sending out their own chemical messages

antagonist

any drug that blocks neurotransmitter activity

hallucinogens

drugs that produce hallucinations - having sensations or perceptions with no external cause

opiates/narcotics

reduce pain and cause euphoria (similar to endorphins); includes morphine, codeine, heroin, etc.

stimulants

increase central nervous system and behavioral activity; includes caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines

alcohol

a depressant that hinders the hippocampus and cerebellum and increases activity at GABA synapses

tolerance

physical adaptation to a drug so that you need an increased amount to get the original effect

withdrawal

symptoms that occur after a person stops using their addicted drug (nausea, hallucinating, convulsions, etc.)