Consciousness and Altered States of Mind

Consciousness Defined

Subjective awareness of the environment and oneself

Active engagement, such as paying attention to a video

Unconscious and Consciousness in Psychology

Unconscious refers to mental processes not immediately accessible to awareness

Sigmund Freud’s contributions to unconscious theory, although many ideas are now considered outdated

Altered States of Consciousness

Examples: Daydreaming, dreaming, meditation, hypnosis, hallucinations

Importance lies in evolutionary advantages for problem-solving and learning from mistakes

The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Despite acknowledgment of consciousness, the origins and neural basis remain elusive

Millions of dollars are dedicated to understanding neural correlates of consciousness

Consciousness in Humans vs. Animals

Self-awareness is a limited trait, found in only eight species besides humans

The mirror test assesses self-recognition, notably passed by elephants

Neuroscientific Findings Related to Consciousness

Studies show unconscious patients may still recognize voices and respond similarly to healthy individuals when engaged in imagined tasks

Selective Attention and Multitasking

Selective attention determines focus, which is critical for learning

Statistics reveal limitations of multitasking, such as increased crash risks when conversing while driving

Inattentional Blindness

Failure to notice stimuli in plain sight when attention is diverted

Dual Processing

The brain processes information using conscious (System 2) and unconscious (System 1) systems concurrently

Examples of routine actions (e.g., driving) illustrating automaticity

The Two Systems

System 1: Unconscious, fast, automatic; monitors environment for threats

System 2: Conscious, slow, effortful; used for deliberate thinking and decision-making

Dichotic Listening Task

Study demonstrating conscious and unconscious communication based on attention direction

Sleep as an Altered State of Consciousness

Sleep is a crucial, intentional loss of consciousness controlled by circadian rhythms

Circadian Rhythm

Internal biological clock influencing sleep-wake cycles, affected by light exposure

Controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus, regulating melatonin secretion

Sleep Stages

N REM 1: Transition stage; irregular breathing, hallucinations

N REM 2: Light sleep; characterized by sleep spindles, majority of sleep time spent here

N REM 3: Deep, slow-wave sleep; characterized by delta waves, hardest to wake

REM: Rapid eye movement, where dreaming occurs; prevents voluntary movements while allowing brain activity similar to wakefulness

Sleep Patterns

Changes with age; younger adults generally experience more deep sleep than older adults

Older adults have more awakenings and less deep sleep

Why We Sleep

Theories include protection from predators, body repair, memory consolidation, creative thinking, growth hormone release, and energy recharging

Dreams

Various theories concerning the purpose of dreams, including information processing and emotional regulation

Dreams do not universally hold symbolic meanings; Freud’s ideas largely discredited

Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine: Main excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in muscle contractions and REM sleep regulation

Glutamate: Major excitatory neurotransmitter for learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity

GABA: Main inhibitory neurotransmitter, reduces neuron activity

Dopamine: Linked to pleasure and reward, plays diverse roles in brain function

Serotonin (5-HT): Mood regulation and appetite control; associated with SSRIs for depression treatment

Norepinephrine: Key neurotransmitter in fight-or-flight response

Oxytocin: Social bonding hormone, increases empathy and compassion

Psychopharmacology

Study of how drugs affect the brain and body; drug classifications: agonists (increase neuroactivity) versus antagonists (decrease activity)

Psychoactive Drugs: Alter perceptions and moods; examples include legal drugs (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, caffeine), each fitting into depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen categories

Common Drugs:

• Alcohol: A depressant that inhibits behavior through GABA receptor interaction
• Barbiturates: CNS depressants impairing memory and judgment, dangerous due to close effective and lethal dosages
• Opiates: Reduce pain and cause euphoria via central nervous system suppression
• Nicotine: Stimulant with specific brain receptors affecting dopamine and norepinephrine
• Cocaine: Powerful stimulant blocking reuptake of neurotransmitters, leading to mood fluctuations
• Methamphetamine: Increases dopamine levels, creating elevated mood and energy but resulting in reduced baseline levels over time
• Caffeine: Blocks adenosine receptors, delaying fatigue perception
• MDMA: Enhances serotonin levels, inducing feelings of happiness but with potential neurotoxicity
• LSD: Hallucinogen causing significant visual alterations by triggering overactivity in the visual cortex
• Marijuana (THC): Hallucinogen with relaxant properties affecting cannabinoid receptors; potential long-term issues with frequent use

Final Review: Summary tables and educational resources can assist with study and understanding of complex topics discussed.