Psych Sleep, Drugs, Hypnosis Unit 4

Sleep

A periodic, natural loss of consciousness as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.

Circadian rhythm

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

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed other body systems are active.

Alpha Waves

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed awake, state.

NREM sleep

non- rapid eye movement sleep, encompasses all sleep stages except for REM sleep

Hallucinations

False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus

Hypnagogic sensations

Bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightlessly, while transitioning to sleep

Delta waves

The large, slow brain waves associated with the deep sleep of NREM-3

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

A pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls circadian rhythm. In response to light, the SCN causes the pineal gland to adjust melatonin production, thus modifying our feelings of sleepiness.

Insomnia

Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

Narcolepsy

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

Sleep apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

Night Terrors

A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, night terrors occur during NREM-3 sleep, within two or three hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

Dream

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind.

Manifest content

According to Freud, the symbolic, remembered story line of a dream

Latent content

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream

REM rebound

The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

Psychoactive drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Substance use disorder

A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect.

Withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

Depressants use disorder (Alcoholism)

Alcohol use marked by tolerance, with-drawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety, but impairing memory and judgement.

Opiates

Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity; temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (coffee)

Nicotine

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Cocaine

A powerful and addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant; produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria.

Amphetamines

Drugs, such as methamphetamine; that stimulate neural activity; causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Methamphetamine

A powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Near death experience

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

LSD

A powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

THC

The major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations

Consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

Hypnosis

A social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

Posthypnotic suggestion

A suggestion, made during hypnosis sessions, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors

Dissociation

A split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

Depressants

Slows down brain activity, which causes the muscles to relax and calms and soothes a person