Understanding Consciousness: Sleep, Dreams, and Altered States

1. Chapter 7: Consciousness McElhaney Point Loma High

2. Definitions What is consciousness? Sleep Stages of REM Stages of Non-REM Sleep Functions of Sleep Dysfunctions of Sleep Theories of Sleep Dreaming Variations of Consciousness Hypnosis Meditation Daydreaming Psychoactive Drug Effects on consciousness Narcotics Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens AP Outline

3. Consciousness • Consciousness and altered States of awareness are core features of mental life. • Sleep has 4 stages • Sleep Loss/Sleep Disorders are health problems • Dreams- are meaningful- but question is how much. • Interpreting dreams can cause self-Awareness • Hypnosis- can be useful to change experiences • Psychoactive Drugs can be abused • Drug abuse- relates to personal maladjustment • “The Cerebral cortex is the seat of human consciousness”

4. Definitions • To be conscious is to be aware • Waking Consciousness = a state of clear organized alertness • When we are conscious we can perceive time, place, events (Normal Consciousness)

5. Changes in Consciousness:Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) • All can change consciousness • Are changes in quality and pattern of mental activity examples= • Shifts in perception, emotions, memories, time sense, thoughts, self control, suggestibility

6. What causes ASC? • Sensory overload (RAVE) • Monotonous stimulation • Unusual physical condition (Fever/sleep loss) • Fatigue, delirium, hypnosis, drugs, music, long distance running

7. Why would someone want to Alter consciousness? • Sweat lodge- Sioux Indians, say, sweat causes cleansing, awareness and personal revelation. • Some cultures seek altered states for personal enlightenment and pleasure • Cultural views vary • Views range from- belief that people are Crazy or insightful

8. Sleep • We are still sensitive even though we are asleep. • Do the Sleep quiz on page 252 • Sleep is an innate Biological Rhythm • We all eventually fall asleep

9. Sleep Patterns • 24 hour rhythms • Based on light and dark- time markers are important • Average 7-8 hours of sleep • As we get older we sleep less

10. Biology and Sleep • Sleep hormone in brain and spinal cord that promotes sleep. (Melatonin or Orexin) not identified by text.

11. Micro-sleep • Brain activity- pattern similar to sleep • Sleeping while awake= • What should you do if you encounter Micro-sleep while driving?

12. Stages of Sleep • 4 stages of sleep- • Measured EEG- electroencephalograph • Brain waves associated with sleep: • Alpha- before sleep longer, slower (also when day dream) • Beta- awake, small fast waves • Sleep Spindles- short burst of distinctive brain wave activity • Delta waves- large slow, deep sleep, stage 3 • 2 Types of Sleep- REM and NREM

13. Beginning Sleep- Breathing, pulse slow Body temp drops Stage 1 Light sleep Lose consciousness Heart rate slows even more Muscles relax- may cause Hypnic Jerk- reflex contraction Small irregular waves and some Alpha waves Sleep Stage 1

14. Stage 2 Sleep Deepens • Body temp drops further • Sleep spindles Waves- short burst of distinctive brain wave activity

15. Stage 3 Deeper Sleep • New brain wave- Delta waves- large and slow

16. Stage 4- Deepest Sleep • Delta Brain wave- large and slow • 1 hour of sleep • Mostly pure Delta waves- large and slow • Shift through stages 3, 2, then 1.

17. Rapid Eye Movement Found in stages 2,3,4 20% of night time sleep 90 minutes per night Associated with dreaming More REM Sleep with emotional events like, death in family, work trouble, marital conflict Increases with stress Fast irregular EEG pattern, very active Areas of brain for imagery and emotion are more active Heart rate increases Sexual Arousal Body is almost paralyzed REM Sleep

18. Fig. 7.6 (a) Average proportion of time adults spend daily in REM sleep and NREM sleep. REM periods add up to about 20 percent of total sleep time. (b) Typical changes in stages of sleep during the night. Notice that dreams mostly coincide with REM periods.

19. 80 % of sleep time Stages 1,2,3,4 Usually not dreaming Increases after physical exertion May help overcome bodily fatigue Sleepwalking or Somnambulist- occurs (usually in stage 3-4) Non-REM Sleep

20. Sleep Deprivation=Sleep loss • What does sleep deprivation cause? • Sleep loss typically causes: • Mood changes, trembling hands, drooping eyes, inattention, irritability, starving, increased pain sensitivity, general discomfort • Maximum recorded = 260 hours without sleep • Caused Sleep Deprivation Psychosis • Loss on contact with reality, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, delusions

21. Sleep Disturbances • Insomnia • Caused by stress = temporary • Chronic Insomnia/long term • Treated by Stimulus control • Create a regular schedule and body rhythm • Nightmares and Night Terrors (remedy) • Imagery rehearsal • Mentally rehearse a changed nightmare. • Sleep Apnea • Snoring • Stopping Breathing as while sleeping • Brain stopping the sending of signals • Also, blockage of air passages

22. Narcolepsy • Sudden irresistible sleep attack • Short term • Triggered by an emotional attack • Cataplexy- sudden temporary paralysis of muscles- ½ of Narcoleptics have this problem • Some indication of heredity • Closely associated with REM sleep

23. Dreams • Dreams occur 4-5 times per night • 90 minutes apart • Range • 1st dream 10 minutes • Last dream 30 minutes

24. Night Terrors • Night Terrors: Total panic occurs; hallucinations may occur • Occurs during Stage 4 sleep • Most common in childhood; may occur in adults • Not remembered

25. Dreams and Meaning • Most researchers agree that dreams reflect our waking thoughts, fantasies and emotions • Most people dream 4-5 times per night • Calvin Hall = dream expert • Said dreams reflect everyday events • Emotionally important people • Actions in dreams are familiar (running, jumping, talking) • ½ of all dreams have sexual elements • Anger, sadness and fear are easier to remember

26. Dream Theory: Psycho-Dynamic • Freud- The Interpretation of Dreams (1900) • What are the main elements of Freud's theory? • Said dreams are based on Wish fulfillment • An expression of unconscious desires • Emphasis on Internal conflicts and unconscious forces • Ideas expressed through Images/Dream Symbols

27. The Activation Synthesis Hypothesis: Prepared by Hobson and McCarley A different type of thinking occurs as we sleep During REM Sleep certain brain cells are activated The frontal area is shut down Cortex is activated and is significant in creating stories and images Messages are blocked to the body so no movement occurs Cells continue to send messages The Brain struggles to send messages The brain searches through stored memories and this causes/makes dreams Other Explanation for Dreams

28. Hypnosis • Used as a relaxation tool • Definition: Altered state of consciousness • Narrowed attention • Increased openness to suggestion • Alternate definition: “Merely a blend of conformity, relaxation, imagination, obedience, suggestion and role playing.”

29. Hypnosis History • Mesmer- early charlatan = mesmerize = to hypnotize • 1700- used suggestion

30. Hypnotic Susceptibility • Key component • Associated with how easily a person can be hypnotized • 8 out of 10 people can be hypnotized • 4 of 10 will be good subjects • Must be willing • Imaginative and prone to fantasy

31. How to Hypnotize • Focus attention • Relax and feel tired • Let go + accept suggestions • Use vivid imagination • Must cooperate to be hypnotized

32. How does Hypnosis function? • Suggestions alter: • Sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings and behavior • Basic Suggestion Effect: • Tendency of hypnosis to carryout suggested actions as if they were involuntary

33. Hypnosis and Dissociation • There may be split awareness Or • Hidden Observer Effect- the detached par tof the hypnotized person that silently observes

34. Effects of Hypnosis • No superhuman acts of strength • Memory can be enhanced but not reliably • False memories • Some amnesia during hypnosis • Can relieve some pain • Age regression is possible but skeptical due to suggestion • Sensory changes can be effected- smell, color vision, hearing, also illusions

35. Sensory Deprivation (SD)=(ASC) • Refers to major reduction in the amount of sensory stimulation • Sight, sound… • Causes misjudgment of time • Trouble concentrating • Visual illusions • Slower reactions • Hypnogogic images- vivid surprising images • Similar to theta waves

36. Why do people use drugs? • Curiosity, • Peer pressure to belong • Escape • Feelings of inadequacy…

37. Best predictor of adolescent drug use and abuse: • Having friends who use drugs • Parental drug use • Delinquency • Troubled family life • Poor self esteem • Social nonconformity • Stressful life changes

38. Taking drugs is a symptom of maladjustment- not necessarily a cause.

39. Description of adolescents who use drugs: • Maladjusted • Alienated • Impulsive • Emotionally distressed • Anti-social behavior • School failure • Risky sexual behavior

40. People use drugs to cope with life • Drugs produce immediate feelings of pleasure “Feel good on demand” • Consequences are delayed • This dynamic creates a compulsion to take drugs • Lifestyle problems result from the habit and effects of the drug use