Consciousness, Sleep, and Psychoactive Drugs: Key Concepts and Disorders

What is consciousness?

Awareness of ourselves and our environment.

What is the explanatory gap in consciousness studies?

The gap between explaining how the brain works and what produces consciousness.

What is dual processing in the context of consciousness?

Information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

What is selective attention?

When your awareness focuses on one small aspect of your experience.

What percentage of traffic accidents are caused by texting or phone use?

28 percent.

How much more likely are you to get into an accident while texting?

23 times more likely.

What is inattentional blindness?

Not noticing something while focusing on something else.

What is change blindness?

Not noticing when something changes because we are focusing on something else.

What is the circadian rhythm?

Our internal clock that synchronizes with the 24-hour day and night cycle.

What are the four stages of sleep?

NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, and REM sleep.

What happens during NREM-3 sleep?

It is deep sleep characterized by delta waves in the brain and is hard to awaken from.

What occurs during REM sleep?

Vivid dreams commonly occur, and the body is essentially paralyzed.

What are some effects of sleep deprivation?

Predicts depression, lowers functioning at school, increases weight gain, suppresses immune function, and slows reaction time.

What is insomnia?

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep.

What is narcolepsy?

A sleep disorder affecting about 1 in 2000 people, characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks.

What is sleep apnea?

A disorder where people stop breathing for about a minute and wake up with a snort.

What are night terrors?

Episodes that usually affect children, occurring in NREM-3 sleep, not REM.

What is the purpose of dreams according to some theories?

To satisfy desires, file away memories, preserve neural pathways, make sense of random activity, or reflect cognitive development.

What percentage of people are highly hypnotizable?

About 20%.

Can hypnosis enhance recall of forgotten events?

It is debated and not conclusively proven.

Can hypnosis force people to act against their will?

Probably not.

What is substance use disorder?

Continued substance use and cravings despite significant life disruption and/or risk.

What are psychoactive drugs?

Chemicals that change perception and mood.

What is tolerance in the context of drug use?

The need for larger doses to feel the same effect.

What are the effects of alcohol as a CNS depressant?

It slows neural activity and body functions and can disrupt memory by suppressing REM sleep.

What are barbiturates?

Tranquilizers that depress CNS activity and can be lethal in higher doses or when combined with alcohol.

What are the effects of cocaine?

Creates a rush followed by a crash and blocks reuptake of dopamine.

What is MDMA (Ecstasy)?

A stimulant that blocks reuptake of serotonin and can lead to severe overheating and death.

What are the potential effects of marijuana?

It can relax, disinhibit, produce euphoria, interfere with memory, and lead to anxiety and depression.