Consciousness

Ongoing awareness of our own thoughts, sensation, feelings, and existence

• Normal consciousness

• Altered states of consciousness (ASC)

Stage 1• Very light sleep• Alpha waves are replaced with random activity• Hypnogogic images may appear

Alert:

Relaxed:

Stage 1:

Stage 2

• Sleep is deeper.

Stage 2:

• Spindles appear in EEG

Stage 3

• Sleep is deeper yet.

Stage 3:

• Spindles disappear, delta waves appear

Stage 4

• Very deep sleep

Stage 4:

• Continuous delta waves• Children produce growth hormone primarily in stages 3 & 4

REM Sleep

• Rapid eye movements

• EEG resembles waking pattern

• Dreaming occurs

Sleep Cycles

REM

Stage 4

Stage 3

Stage 2

Stage 1

Awake

1 2 3 4 85 6 7Hour of sleep

Sleep Disturbances

• Sleep Walking• Nightmares/Night Terrors• Sleep Talking• Narcolepsy• Sleep Apnea• Insomnia• SIDS• REM Behavior Disorder

Dreaming

• What triggers particular dreams?

• Why do we dream?– Manifest content– Latent content– Activation-synthesis hypothesis

Controlling Consciousness

• Meditation

• Hypnosis

The Bottom Line

Hypnosis may be no different from other forms of suggestion

(but it makes great theater!)

Drugs and Alcohol: Substance Use and Abuse

• Substance abuse

• Tolerance

• Withdrawal symptoms

The Seven Symptoms of Substance Dependence

1. Tolerance

2. Withdrawal

3. Larger amounts of substance taken over a longer period of time than intended

4. Unsuccessful efforts or a persistent desire to decrease or control the substance use

The Seven Symptoms of Substance Dependence

5. A lot of time spent in obtaining the substance, using it, or recovering from its effects

6. Important work, social, or recreational activities are given up as a result of the substance

7. Despite knowledge of recurrent or ongoing physical or psychological problems caused or exacerbated by the substance, substance use continues

Depressants: Focus on Alcohol

• Physiological effects of alcohol– Disinhibition

• Psychological effects of alcohol– Inhibitory conflict– Alcohol myopia

Depressants: Focus on Alcohol

• Chronic abuse– Blackouts– Korsakoff’s syndrome

• Other depressants– Barbiturates

Stimulants: Focus on Cocaine

• Crack

• Other stimulants– Amphetamines– Caffeine– Nicotine

Action of Amphetamines on Neurotransmitters

Narcotic Analgesics: Focus on Heroin

• Narcotic analgesics– Heroin, morphine, codeine, Percodan,

Demerol– Opiates

Hallucinogens: Focus on LSD

• Hallucinogens– Mescaline, peyote, psilocybin, lysergic acid

diethylamide (LSD), phencydlidine (PCP), Ketamine, marijuana

• A creativity boost?– Flashbacks