psych unit 5 slep stages

consciousness

our subjective awareness of ourselves and the enviornment, part of the dual processing of our 2-track minds

spontaneous

daydreaming, drowsiness, dreaming

physiologically induced

hallucinations, orgasm, food/oxygne starvation

psychologically induced

sensory deprivation, hypnosis, meditation

hypnosis

a social interaction in which the hypnotists suggests to another person that certain perceptions, feelings thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur

its power resides in the subject's openness to suggestion, relaxation, weight loss

hypnotic treatment

posthypnotic suggestions (a suggestion after a hynposis session to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized) have helped treat pain control and obesity

--> however, unreliable for addiction and recalling memories

circadian rhythm

our biological clock that syncs with the 24-hr cycle of day and night; handles things like temperature, wakefullness, hormone release

--> controlled by the SCN

EEG

(electroencephalogram) machine used to measure brain's electrical activity

NREM

Non-rapid eye movement sleep

stages 1-3 are slower brain activity, stage 3 is deep sleep

REM

rapid eye movement sleep, where vivid dreams commonly occur

--> also known as "paradoxical sleep" as muscles are relaxed/unmoving but body systems are active w/ waking brain-like activity

--> occurs after we return to NREM-2

--> brain waves become rapid and saw-toothed, heart rate rises, breathing irs rapid and irregular, eyes dart around in bursts of activity, signifying the start of a dream

NREM-1

transition from alpha waves to theta waves

--> as we slip into sleep; marked by slowed breathing, irregular brain waves, hypnogogic sensations/hallucinations, lightest sleep and can easily be waken up

NREM-2

after relaxing more deeply, we begin about ~20 mins of this sleep stage with burts of rapid, rhythmic brain-activity (sleep spindles)

--> officially asleep at this point

--> theta waves

--> we spend most of our night at thsi stage

NREM-3

30 mins of emitting large, slow delta waves, in deep sleep, growth hormone release and tissue repair, hard to awaken

the sleep cycle

the first 1/2 cycles..

begins with NREM-1 (either when first falling asleep or returning back to bed after waking up)

>> NREM-2 >> NREM-3 (the first NREM-3 in this cycle lasts the longest 20-40 min) >> NREM-2 >> REM

--> As the night goes on, the body needs less deep sleep restoration; NREM-3 gets shorter/drops out entirely, while REM gets longer.

--> Alternates between NREM-2 and REM throughout the night, with REM getting longer each atlernation, NREM-3 is barely present/not present at all

gamma waves

brain waves heightened alertness, focus, problem-solving; occurs during intense mental activity like studying

beta waves

the wakefulness brain waves, active thinking, and arousal; dominant during daily activities like working or talking

alpha waves

brain waves associated with being awake, but relaxed and calmed, present when closing eyes or meditating

theta waves

brain waves related to drowsiness, light sleep, and dreaming, can also occur during hypnosis

delta waves

brain waves related to deep sleep, slowest brain waves

hypnagogic sensations

falling sensation, body may jerk, sensation of floating or flaling weightlessly

physiological signs of REM sleep

rapid eye movements, irregular breathing and heart rate, muscle paralysis, high brain activity

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)

A small brain structure in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms by controlling the release of melatonin from the PINEAL gland (more during the night, less during the day)

--> bright light, like artificial light from phones, delay sleep, as it triggers the SCN to signal to stop making melatonin

REM sleep benefits

1. protects; prevents us from getting into danger during the night

2. helps us recuperate; restores imune system, repair brain tissue, gets rid of toxic waste

3. restore and conslidate memories of the day

4. feeds creative thinking; dreamas can inspirte artistic and scientific ideas, boosts our thinking and solving, helps us spot connections better, more likely to solve a problem after "sleeping on it"

5. supports growth; pitituary gland releases human growht hormones for muscle development, REM and NREM-2 strengthen neural connections and muscle memory, faster rxn times, more energy, greater endurance

sleep deprivation

inadequate sleep over time

consequences: poor conentration, fatigue, memory impairment, weakened immune system, depression risks, obesity risks

sleep deprivation psychosis

sleep loss for long periods of time -> hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, disorganized thinking

insomnia

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

--> tiredness and risk fo depression, also becomes worse when we worry about it

stimulus control for insomnia

- associating bed with sleep only

- go to bed only when tired

- use bed only for sleep

- avoid coffee and alcohol before bed

- avoid daytime naps

narcolepsy

sleep disorder characterized by sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks (often REM sleep)

--> has a genetic component

--> may include cataplexy; sudden muscle weakness triggered by emotion

sleep apnea

temporary haltings of breathing during sleep and repeated awakenings

--> linked to obesity and loud snoring

--> usually episodes are recalled despite fatigue and depression

--> daytime irrability, sleepiness, and high blood pressure from this disorder can increase risk of stroke/heart attack

sleep walking

--> also known as somnambulism, occurs during NREM-3, involves motor activity without conscious awareness

--> beause NREM-3 diminishes as we get older, so does this too

night terrors

--> targets mostly children, characterized by high arousal and appearance of being terrified, intense fear and screaming, occurs during NREM-3 and are not often remembered

--> diminishes as we get older

nightmares

frightening dreams during REM sleep

freud's dream theory

dreams provide a psychic safety valve that allows us to express otherwise unacceptable, suppressed feeling, used to satisfy our unconscious wishes

manifest content

the actual storyline of a dream, apparent and remembered

latent content

the hidden psychological meaning of a dream, the unconscious drives it and would be threatening if expressed directly

information processing theory

dreams help sift, sort, and fix the day's experiences in our memory,

activation-synthesis theory

dreams are the brain's attempt to make snese of random neural activity during REM

REM rebound

--> following repeated awakenings or REM deprivation, when asleep, individuasl enter REM faster and spend more time in it

psychoactive drugs

substances that alter mood, perception, emotions, thinking, or behavior by acting on the nervous system

cognitive development

our dreams simulate reality by drawing on our concepts and knowledge, engage brain networks, contributes to brain maturation and development

tolerance

develops as the brain chemistry tries to offset the drug effects, requiring the user to take larger doses of a drug before experiencing an effect

addiction

compulsive craving and drug use despite harmful consequences, associated with withdrawal symptoms

(can be physical [in which the body depents on it to function], always psychological [user THINKS they need it to function])

withdrawal

discomfort and distress following discontinuing an addiction

substance use disorder

(another word for addiction) continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and risk

depressants

classifcation of drugs that calm neural activity and slow body functions (slow CNS activity)

stimulants

classification of drugs that increase neural activity and speeds up body functions (increased CNS activity)

hallucinogens

classification of drugs that distory perceptions and invoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (seeing thing that's not actually there)

--> sometimes called psychedelics

narcotics/opiates

classifcation of drug that depresses neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety, encourages euphoria, high addiciton risk

--> includes narcotics like codeine and orphine, and drugs like heroin and fentanyl

--> pleasure replaces pain; brain stops producing its own opiates (endorphins) brain lacks normal level of painkilling trasnmitters >> people try to take more to replace loss of biological opiates which often lead to overdose and deaths

inhalants

classifcation of drugs; vapors inhaled for mind-altering effects

alcohol

in any amount, is a depressant, even if someone seems more lively, it is because their judgement and inhibitions are slowed down

alcohol intoxication

short term: slowed neural processing, lowered inhibitions, memory disruption, reduced self-awareness (less likely to notice you're zoned out/mind-wandering/drunk), expectations influence behavior [people being able to blame their destructive desires to alcohol releases inhibitions]

long term: Tolerance, addiction, liver damage (cirrhosis), brain shrinkage, memory disorder

alcohol abuse

porlonged and excessive drinking (alcoholism) + tolerance and withdrawal

--> can lead to brain shrinking, girls have less alcohol-digesting enzymes and are more vulnerable

barbiturates

depressant; depress central nervous system activity, reduces anxiety, but memory and judgement are impaired, "tranquilizers,"

--> combined w/ alc. total depressive effects can be lethal

--> manmade/synthetic

nicotine/tobacco

stimulant; highly addictive, often smoked/vaped, rush of this drug signals the CNS to reduce neurotransmitters, resulting in suppressed appetite, boosted alertness, mental efficiency, temporary calm anxiety and reduce pain sensitivity

--> natural

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant deried from the coca plant

--> temporarily increases alertness and euphoria

--> sometimes sold in the form of "crack cocaine," a faster-working crystallized form that produces a briefer but more intense high and crash

--> enters bloodstream quickly, may heighten reactions, emotional disturbances, convulsions, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure

methamphetamine

stimulant; derived from amphetamines (drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions, associated energy, and mood changes)

--> a type of amphetamine that has great effects and is powerfully addictive-- stimulates the CNS w/ accelerated body funcs, associated w/ energy and mood changes

--> overtime REDUCES BASELINE DOPAMINE LEVELS

--> after effects: irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, depression, violent outbursts, reduced based levels, depressed functioning

--> manmade/synthetic

Ecstasy

also known as MDMA or Molly

--> a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen

--> produces euphoria and social intimacy, high energy, emotional elevation

--> long-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition

--> DEHYDRATES, decreased output, risk of permanent depression (due to neuron damage), immune system suppression, impairs memoy, sleep impaired

Marijuana

--> hallucinogen, has stimulant and depressant properties contains THC, the major active ingredient

--> can be smoked (instant effect) or eaten (travels ata s low an dunpredictable rate)

--> "mild hallucinogen" because it amplifies sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, and smells, also relaxes, disinhibits, and may produce a euphoric high

--> impairs motor coordination, perceptual skills, and reation time, depression may be intensified, great risk of anxiety, psychosis, and addiction

--> unlike alcohol, which breaks down in the body within hours, THC builds up and lingers in the body for weeks, and can achieve a high with smaller-than-usual amounts, where in usual drug tolerance more of the drug is required for an effect

dissociation

the disconnection from our conscioussness; awareness, thoughts, memories, sense of self; can be harmless as daydreaming or can indicate a serious underlying mental issue, allows for thoughts and behaviors to simultaneously occur w/ others

LSD

• “acid” — strong hallucinogenic

• many users experience a stream f fantastic pictures, shapes, euphoria to detachment to panic