Psychology: Sleep, Consciousness, and Psychoactive Drugs Overview

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perception, mood, or consciousness.

Antagonists

Drugs that block the action of neurotransmitters.

Agonists

Drugs that mimic the action of neurotransmitters.

Reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that prevent the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, increasing their availability in the synapse.

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the central nervous system, enhancing alertness and energy.

Caffeine

A common stimulant found in coffee and tea that increases alertness.

Cocaine

A powerful stimulant drug that increases dopamine levels in the brain.

Depressants

Substances that reduce the activity of the central nervous system, leading to relaxation and decreased inhibition.

Alcohol

A depressant that affects the central nervous system, impairing cognitive and motor functions.

Opioids

A class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers and illegal drugs like heroin, which act on opioid receptors.

Hallucinogens

Substances that cause perceptual distortions and altered states of consciousness.

Marijuana

A psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant, known for its relaxing and euphoric effects.

Addiction

A chronic condition characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.

Withdrawal symptoms

Physical and mental effects that occur when a person stops using a substance they are dependent on.

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to think and perceive one's surroundings.

Sleep

A natural state of rest characterized by altered consciousness, reduced sensory activity, and inhibition of voluntary muscles.

Wakefulness

The state of being alert and aware of one's environment.

Circadian rhythm

The physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness.

Jet lag

A temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person's internal body clock is out of sync with the new time zone.

EEG patterns

The electrical activity of the brain recorded by electroencephalography, used to study sleep stages.

Sleep stages

Different phases of sleep characterized by distinct brain wave patterns and physiological changes.

Alpha waves

Brain waves that are present during relaxed, awake states, typically associated with calmness.

N-REM 1

The lightest stage of sleep, where one drifts in and out of sleep and can be easily awakened.

Hypnagogic sensations

Vivid sensory phenomena that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.

N-REM 2

A stage of sleep characterized by sleep spindles and a deeper level of sleep than N-REM 1.

Sleep spindles

Bursts of brain activity that occur during N-REM 2 sleep, believed to play a role in memory consolidation.

N-REM 3

The deepest stage of non-REM sleep, characterized by delta waves and essential for restorative sleep.

Delta waves

Slow brain waves associated with deep sleep, crucial for physical restoration.

Night terrors

Episodes of intense fear during sleep, often accompanied by screaming and thrashing, occurring in N-REM sleep.

Sleepwalking/talking

Behavioral disorders that occur during sleep, where individuals may walk or talk while still asleep.

REM

Rapid Eye Movement sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by vivid dreams and increased brain activity.

Sleep paralysis

A temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, often accompanied by hallucinations.

Paradoxical sleep

Another term for REM sleep, where the brain is active but the body is immobile.

REM rebound

An increase in REM sleep that occurs after periods of sleep deprivation.

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

A small region in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Theories of sleep

Various explanations for why we sleep, including restoration, energy conservation, and brain function.

Sleep deprivation/sleep loss

A condition resulting from inadequate sleep, leading to various physical and mental health issues.

Sleep disorders

Medical conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, or duration.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.

Narcolepsy

A neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

REM sleep behavior disorder

A condition where individuals act out their dreams during REM sleep due to a lack of muscle atonia.

Sleep apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.

Somnambulism

Another term for sleepwalking, where a person walks or performs other activities while in a state of sleep.

Dreams and Dream theories

Theories that explain the purpose and meaning of dreams, including psychological and physiological perspectives.

Information-processing

The theory that dreams help process and organize information from daily experiences.

Physiological function

The biological processes that occur during sleep, contributing to physical health and recovery.

Activation-synthesis

A theory suggesting that dreams result from the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.