Dreams and Altered States of Perception Pt. 2 (CH.3) (copy)

What are the states of consciousness

Awake, asleep (unconscious, asleep (dreaming), Non-sleep unconscious state (coma, vegetative), hypnotized state, drugged state

Dreams

Involuntary sensations or ideas often while asleep (most often occur during REM)

What do people dream about

daily life/recent information, significant life events, traumatic experiences, and exposure to new/different stimuli. (dreams tend to produce negative emotions)

Freudian Interpretation of dreams

Believed dreams were the filtered manifestation of our unconscious desires (theory lacks empirical support, thus hard to falsify)

Dreams as information processing (why we dream)

Its a way to process information, as dreams represent our mind organizing memories

dreams as memory consolidation (why we dream)

Set or store a memory for the long-term. Pros: our memory improves with more sleep, reactivates neural patterns (walking). Cons: Sleep can be generally good for memory, and do not pertain to exact daily experiences

developing the neural pathways (why do we dream)

Dreams keep our brains engaged while we rest, which helps to maintain and build neural connections (esp in children). Pros: this is way babies are often in REM sleep Con: Physiological explanation does not explain contents of dream

Random neural activity (why we dream)

activation-synthesis theory suggests that the brain fires semi-randomly in the primary sensory areas/limbic system and the frontal cortex is inactive, Pros: explains how we dream random events without rationality. cons: dreams are too structured to be random and people have similar dreams suggesting dreams are patterned/wired

Cognitive development (why we dream)

dream content is a reflection of our understanding and knowledge, and simulates situations we could experience. Pros: explains why people have similar dreams, and why dreams are different depending on developmental stage. Cons: Doesn't explain the abnormality of dreams

Psychoactive drugs

Chemical substance that alters percpetion, mood, and cognition. (1) acts directly on NS by changing neurotransmission, changes some cognitive process. (minor alterations: caffeine, nicotine, full alternations: LSD)

Addiction

Term for having compulsive/repetitive behavioural patterns to the extent where you are dependent on it despite the harm

Substance abuse disorder

a disorder characterized by compulsive need/craving for substances/substance use which significantly disrupts your life

APA guidelines for Substance abuse disorder

(1) Tolerance, (2) Withdrawl, (3) Significant impact on life

Tolerance

The substance's effects diminish with frequent and regular use

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress follows after stoping regular use of drugs

Substance abuse vs Behavioural addiction

Argument as to whether behaviour addictions such as Gambling disorder, Internet gaming disorder (approved by are medical disorders. WHO not APA)

3 classes of drugs

depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens

depressants

drugs (such as alcohol, opiates tranquilizers) that inhibit the NS:reducing neural activity (ie. cogniton, reaction time), and slowing body functions (ie. slurred speech, motor/sensory functions). High doses lead to lose of consciousness and vital functions, affects GABA activity (directly, indirectly)

Alcohol as a depressent

The most common socially destructive drugs, no amount is beneficitory to health, regular consumption increases cancer, heart disease, stroke. CCSA guidelines suggest 2 drinks per week max

Affects of Alcohol (depressant)

Slow neural processing (judgement, coordination), memory disruption (blackouts), impaired self awareness/ self control (alcohol leads to myopic behaviour where people do not think of the consequences, and focus on arousing stimuli), Disinhibited behaviour: releases suppressed feelings and behaviours.

Barbiturates and Tranquilizers (depressants)

Used for anticonvulsants (helps seizures), general anesthesia (purposefully puts people unconscious), anti-anxiety (formerly used to quell anxiety symptoms), and euthanasia/capital punishment (used to kill people). When mixed with alcohol it creates dangerous levels of NS depression

Opiates (depressants)

Relieves pain but its psychoactive effects make it highly addictive. Most opiates used today are synthethic (both medical and illicit use (made from poppies)

Stimulants

Drugs that increase the energy use in your body and brain activity by stimulating the Sympathetic NS, it increases general activity, and afterward creates a crash effect from strong high (Nicotine, Cocaine, Amphetamines directly affect dopamine system)

Nicotine (stimulant)

When alone it's highly addictive. It raises blood pressure, and arousal while suppressing appetite. Derived from tobacco, and when smoked leads to lung damage risk for cancer. Withdrawal results in anxiety, distractibility, and cravings. Consumption relieves these symptoms and strengthens behaviour

Cocaine (stimulant)

Prevents/blocks dopamine reuptake, quickly reaches the brain, and causes a rush of dopamine. Creates extreme excitation which can turn into aggression, causes cardiac arrest and convulsions with high doses

Amphetamines (stimulant)

blocks dopamine reuptake and causes further release of neurotransmitters, low doses are beneficial for ADHD (Adderall), Methamphetamine creates a prolonged euphoria, and leads to anti-social behaviours, irritability, and hypertension. MDMA/Ecstasy creates euphoria with minor hallucinations but causes significant dehydration, overheating, and cognitive issues from lack of serotonin

Hallucinogens

Also known as psychodelics, alters perceptions, and creates sensory stimulation. Affects serotonin system, and creates a good mood. Shows no addictive qualities aside from cannabis. (LSD, cannabis)

LSD (hallucinogen)

Potent hallucinogen with strong change on mood and perceptions. Can overwhelm easily so its best taken in small doses, does not cause direct damage to brain/body

Cannabis (hallucinogen)

THC is the main psychoactive component found, no major alteration of perceptions (mildly hallucinogenic), distorts time, enhances senses. Possible risk or triggering psychosis, and impairs memory/attention (correlated with academic underperformance)

Perspective on Problematic drug use

Biological, social, and psychological factors play a part in the likelihood of someone forming a drug addiction. Not everyone who uses an addictive substance will end up with an addiction to it

Biological factors

The production levels of neurotransmitters are different depending on genes making one more or less prone. The likelihood of addiction is majorly increased if there's an identical twin, or close family members with substance abuse issues. Exposure to substances and life events can make the NS more vulnerable to addiction

Psychological perspective

largest factor associated with addiction is stress: traumatic events, major life transitions, psychiatric disorders, lacking purpose/structure in life. Drug use to relieve stress symtoms. Stress hormones make you more compliant to drugs use, and maintenance

socio-cultural perspective

Social groups have a huge impact on whether you use substances or don't (ex. families with non smokers are highly unlikely to start, college students who think peers are drinking will drink more, cultures/religions that stigmatize drugs have less drug use