Drugs/Consciousness Quiz - PSYCH 1

4.1 What is Consciousness?

Consciousness - describes our awareness of internal and external stimuli

Sleep - low levels of physical activities & reduced sensory awareness

Wakefulness - high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior

Biological rhythms - internal rhythms of biological activity

circadian rhythm - biological rhythm, takes place over a period of about 24 hours

chronotype - individual differences in circadian rhythms (i.e night owl and early birds)

Sleep regulation - brain’s control of switching between sleep & wakefulness + coordinating this cycle with the outside world

Rotating shift work - work schedule that changes from early to late on a daily or weekly basis…resulting in sleep disorders b/c regular circadian rhythm cannot be maintained

Sleep debt - not getting sufficient sleep on a chronic basis.

4.2 Sleep & Why we Sleep

Sleep rebound - people who are sleep deprived fall asleep quicker than those who aren’t

Areas of the Brain involved w/ sleep

Hypothalamus - contains suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) - Our internal clock

Thalamus - regulates slow-wave sleep

pons - important for regulating REM

pineal gland - releases melatonin

Five Reasons We Sleep

1. Evolutionary - early humans survived by sleeping when dark & waking during light

2. Recuperation - sleep restores our immune system, neurons help repair themselves

3. Build memories - strengthens neural connections. reactivates recent experiences (hippocampus) and transfers them to permanent memory

4. Creativity - “Sleep on it” can actually see connections, unconscious mind continues to work on things

5. Growth and STRENGTH - during REM growth hormones are released + helps w/ muscle memory

4.3 Stages of Sleep

stage 1 sleep - first stage of sleep; transitional phase that occurs between wakefulness and sleep; the period during which a person drifts off to sleep

stage 2 sleep - second stage of sleep; the body goes into deep relaxation; characterized by the appearance of sleep spindles

stage 3 sleep - third stage of sleep; deep sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves

Alpha waves - awake

NREM1 - hypagogic sensations, heart rate decreases, breathing decreases, easily awaken

NREM2 - (about 20 mins) sleep spindles, asleep, rapid bursts of brain activity, easily awaken

sleep spindle - rapid burst of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep that may be important for learning and memory

NREM3 - delta waves, slow wave sleep, “deep sleep” bed wetting, disorientation. pituitary gland releases human growth (+ muscle development) & muscle memory

REM - rapid eye movement. paradoxical asleep b/c the brain waves mirror awake brain waves & eyes seem awake (like NREM1). Increased heart rate & breathing rapid and irregular

4.4 Sleep Problems & Disorders

parasomnia - one of a group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted, disruptive motor activity and/or experiences during sleep

Sleep Deprivation - more conflict in relationships, easier to become sick. depression, less production + accuracy + cognition. slows response times. Increased weight (b/c feeling hungry, snack instead of sleep, less full feeling, slower metabolism).

Insomnia - can’t sleep most nights (“quick fixes” sleeping pills and alcohol reduces REM & create tolerance)

Sleep Apnea - stop breathing during sleep & snort air / snoring. stops slow wave sleep. associated with obesity & men. High blood pressure (leading to heart attack/stroke) the person afflicted does not remember it & is tired.

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) - sleep disorder in which the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep phase does not occur; sleepers have high levels of physical activity during REM sleep, especially during disturbing dreams

Night Terrors - exclusive to NREM3. doubles heart & breathing rate. may sit up & talk incoherently.

Somnambulsim - sleep walking

4.5 Substance Abuse & Abuse

Drug use disorders - addictive disorders, and the criteria for specific substance (drug) use disorders are described in DSM-5

Physical dependence - involves changes in normal bodily functions

Psychological dependence - has an emotional need for the drug, may use the drug to relieve psychological distress

Tolerance - a person requires more and more drug to achieve effects previously experienced at lower doses

Withdrawal - a variety of negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued

Drug Categories

Depressants - suppresses CNS

Stimulants - excite neural activity; speed up functions (SNS), decreased appetite, increased energy and confidence

Hallucinogens - distort perception, evoke sensory images w/o input

Opiates - sub category of depressants opium derivatives (used as painkillers)

Specific Drugs I need to know

Alcohol - GABA agonist

Barbiturates - GABA agonist

Opiates - (pain killers) endorphine agonist; heroin, morphine, methadone, and codeine

Nicotine - increase epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. exerts its effects through its interaction with acetylcholine receptors.

Cocaine - dopamine, serotonin & norepinephrine

Methamphetamine - triggers 10x dopamine & norepinephrine

Ecstasy (MDMA) - triggers stores serotonin & blocking reuptake →longer effects

LSD - antagonists of the NMDA glutamate receptor (not the same abuse potential as other drugs)

Marijuana - very much based in the expectancy effect so it has hallucinogen, depressant and stimulant properties

Methadone - synthetic opioid that is less euphorigenic than heroin and similar drugs

Codeine - opioid with relatively low potency (for minor pain)

4.6 Etc. States of Consciousness

Hypnosis - state of extreme self-focus and attention in which minimal attention is given to external stimuli

Meditation - the act of focusing on a single target (such as the breath or a repeated sound) to increase awareness of the moment