Sleep Stages & Sleep Disorders

AP PSYCH

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

In the hypothalamus, responds to light to reset the circadian rhythm

Altered state of consciousness

conditions that different from a normal waking state, affecting awareness and perception.

Consciousness

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Examples of altered states

psychoactive drugs, coma, stages of sleep, meditation, prayer

NREM stage 1

Light sleep marked by alpha waves and hypnagogic sensations/jerking

NREM stage 2

sleep spindles and EEG patterns show more harmonized brain activity. Body temp and heart rate slow down

sleep spindles

In NREM stage 2, rapid brain activity that helps with memory consolidation

NREM stage 3/4

deepest stage of sleep, marked by delta waves. Body focuses on physical restoration, muscles relax blood pressure drops. Hardest stage to wake from

REM sleep

paradoxical sleep where the brain is active but the body is paralyzed. Associated with vivid dreams. Plays a key role in memory consolidation

Alpha Waves

Brain waves in a relaxed awake state.

Delta Waves

Slow brain waves associated with deep NREM sleep

REM Rebound

brain enters REM sleep quickly and spends more time in REM sleep after being

sleep deprived

Activation synthesis theory

Dreams are the brains way of making sense of random neural activity

Consolidation Theory

Dreams help process and solidify memories and experiments from the day

Narcolepsy

Sudden and uncontrollable sleep attacks, put you in REM sleep

Importance of sleep

Sleep is crucial for physical restoration, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation.

Hypnagogic sensations and hallucinations

sensation of falling/ hearing sounds right as your going to sleep (stage 1 NREM)

REM sleep behavior disorder

people act out their dreams sue to lack of muscle paralysis during REM sleep

sleep apnea

breathing repeatedly stops and starts

Somnambulism(sleep walking)

happens during NREM individuals will walk/ perform tasks while still sleeping.

Jerking sensation

Stage 1 NREM

Heart rate and Body temp drop

Stage 2 NREM

Muscles relax

Stage ¾ NREM

eyes, sympathetic

pupils dilate

heart, sympathetic

heart rate increases

stomach sympathetic

slows digestion

liver sympathetic

releases glucose

gallbladder sympathetic

none

bladder sympathetic

muscles relax

adrenal gland sympathetic

releases adrenaline

sex organs sympathetic

male ejaculation

eyes parasympathetic

pupils return to normal

heart parasympathetic

heart rate slows down

stomach parasympathetic

starts digestion

liver parasympathetic

none

gallbladder parasympathetic

starts up again

bladder parasympathetic

muscles tense up again

adrenal gland parasympathetic

none

sex organs

re-engage

adrenaline

increases the heart rate and energy

oxycontin ( love hormone)

bonding and social behavior

Leptin

regulates hunger and fat storage

Melatonin

regulates the sleep wake cycle

Ghrelin

Stimulates hunger