States of Consciousness (Chapter 4)

alpha wave

a type of brain wave that characterizes a relaxed state of wakefulness

beta wave

a type of brain wave that characterizes active wakefulness

alpha wave

a type of brain wave that characterizes a relaxed state of wakefulness

beta wave

a type of brain wave that characterizes active wakefulness

biological rhythm

internal cycle of biological activity

cataplexy

lack of muscle tone or muscle weakness, and in some cases complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles

central sleep apnea

sleep disorder with periods of interrupted breathing due to a disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing

circadian rhythm

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

collective unconscious

theoretical repository of information shared by all people across cultures, as described by Carl Jung

consciousness

awareness of internal and external stimuli

delta wave

type of brain wave seen during deep sleep

depressant

drug that tends to suppress central nervous system activity

euphoric high

feelings of intense elation and pleasure from drug use

hallucinogen

one of a class of drugs that results in profound alterations in sensory and perceptual experiences, often with vivid hallucinations

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

hypnosis

state of extreme self-focus and attention in which minimal attention is given to external stimuli

insomnia

consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week over a month's time (chronic)

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

K-complex

very high amplitude pattern of brain activity associated with stage 2 sleep that may occur in response to environmental stimuli

latent content

hidden meaning of a dream, per Sigmund Freud's view of the function of dreams

lucid dream

when people become aware that they are dreaming and can control the dream's content

manifest content

storyline of events that occur during a dream, per Sigmund Freud's view of the function of dreams

meditation

clearing the mind in order to achieve a state of relaxed awareness and focus

melatonin

hormone that serves as an important regulator of the sleep-wake cycle

methamphetamine

type of amphetamine

narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

night terror

a sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and apparent terror; unlike nightmares, night terrors are seldom remembered

non-REM (NREM)

period of sleep characterized by slow brain activity, reductions in heart rate, and muscle relaxation

obstructive sleep apnea

sleep disorder defined by episodes when breathing stops during sleep as a result of blockage of the airway

opiate (opioid)

one of a category of drugs that has strong analgesic properties, includes heroin, morphine, methadone, and codeine (to name just a few)

parasomnia

one of a group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep.

physical dependence

changes in bodily functions that cause a drug user to experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use

pineal gland

endocrine gland located near the base of the cerebrum; secretes melatonin

psychological dependence

emotional, rather than a physical, need for a drug which may be used to relieve psychological distress

rapid eye movement sleep (REM)

period of sleep characterized by brain waves very similar to those during wakefulness and by darting movements of the eyes under closed eyelids

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)

sleep disorder in which the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep phase does not occur; sleepers have high levels of physical activity during REM sleep, especially during disturbing dreams

restless leg syndrome

sleep disorder in which the sufferer has uncomfortable sensations in the legs when trying to fall asleep that are relieved by moving the legs

sleep

state marked by relatively low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness that is distinct from periods of rest that occur during wakefulness

sleep apnea

sleep disorder defined by episodes during which breathing stops temporarily and repeatedly during sleep

sleep debt

the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep

sleep rebound

a sleep-deprived individual will tend to take a shorter time to fall asleep during subsequent opportunities for sleep

sleep regulation

brain's control of switching between sleep and wakefulness as well as coordinating this cycle with the outside world

sleep spindle

rapid burst of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep that may be important for learning and memory

sleepwalking (somnambulism)

sleep disorder in which the sleeper engages in relatively complex behaviors

stage 1 sleep

first stage of sleep; transitional phase that occurs between wakefulness and sleep; the period during which a person drifts off to sleep

stage 2 sleep

second stage of sleep; the body goes into deep relaxation; characterized by the appearance of sleep spindles and K complexes

stage 3 sleep

third stage of sleep; deep sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves

stimulant

A drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, includes caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

area of the hypothalamus in which the body's biological clock is located

theta wave

type of brain wave characteristic of the end of stage 1 NREM sleep

tolerance

state of requiring increasing quantities of the drug to gain the desired effect

wakefulness

characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior

withdrawal

variety of negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued