Altered States of Consciousness What are Altered States

Altered States of Consciousness

What are Altered States of Consciousness? Definition: • various states in which the mind can be aware but is not in its usual wakeful condition • Form of consciousness in which a persons sense of self or sense of the world changes Examples: - sleep - using drugs/alcohol - meditation - hypnosis

Sleep is a…. Circadian Rhythms: - biological process that guides how we function Examples body temperature, blood pressure, sleepiness and wakefulness Theories of Sleep: - Adaptive Theory: species need time to keep out of trouble - Conserving Theory: sleep is a time to save energy - Restorative Theory: time to replenish the body’s systems

Sleep is… - Defined by brain-wave patterns (measured by EEG) - Brain waves vary based on: - awake - relaxed - sleeping Types of Brain-Wave Patterns: - Beta short & quick (awake/alert) - Alpha slower than beta (relaxed/drowsy) - Theta slower than Alpha (light sleep) - Delta slowest pattern (deep sleep)

Two Types of Sleep NREM Sleep: - stands for Nonrapid Eye Movement - early stages of sleep (stage 1 -4) - during this type brain electrical activity & vital signs decline

Two Types of Sleep REM Sleep: - stands for Rapid Eye Movement - brain suddenly becomes electrically alive almost as if awake - vital signs all rise - eyes can be seen rapidly moving under the lids - most dreaming occurs here

Sleep Stages Research states that we sleep in stages Alpha Wave Period: • Drowsy but awake state when eyes are closed and relaxed NREM Sleep Stage 1 • Transition period between wakefulness and sleep; theta wave appear NREM Sleep Stage 2 • Sleep spindles occur; muscles less tense, eyes rest; half of all sleep is in this state

Sleep Stages NREM Sleep Stage 3 • Delta waves appear NREM Sleep Stage 4 • Deepest part of sleep REM Sleep • Cycle now reverses through stage 4 to stage 3 to stage 2 but instead of waking into stage 1 sleeper goes into REM sleep

How Much Sleep? How Much Sleep Do We Need? - Newborns = 16 hrs - 1 Year Old = 14 hrs - Teens = 9 hrs - Adults = 7 -8 hrs

Your Task: • Break into your lab groups • Each group will be assigned a sleep disorder/problem • Use your book and smart phone to research your assigned disorder • Be ready to share with the class your findings! Sleep Disorders • Insomnia • Night Terrors • Sleep Walking • Sleep Apnea • Narcolepsy • Hypersomnia

Dreams…. • mostly happen during REM sleep • can feel real or fantasy/disorganized • happen in “real time” (feels like 5 min. = dreamed 5 min) • three Most common dreams: 1. falling 2. being chased/attacked 3. repeatedly trying but failing at a task

Dream Theories Psychoanalytic Theory • developed by Sigmund Freud's in his book “Interpretation of Dreams” in 1900 • dreams are repressed desires and a look a suppressed feelings (unconscious wishes & desires) • dreams are symbolic language of the unconscious mind communicating with the conscious mind Manifest Content: the surface level of a dream (images, action). Latent Content: the unconscious meaning of a dream.

Dream Theories Activation-Synthesis Theory: • developed by Harvard psychologists Allen Hobson & Robert Mc. Carley in 1977 • dreams are by-products of the brain’s regeneration process • Dreams have no meaning but we try to make sense of them by using past memories & knowledge

Dream Theories Information Processing Theory: • developed by psychologist Evans • during sleep, the brain processes what was stored in memory during the day • dreams are brief glimpses of the brain’s sorting, scanning and searching through memories • dreams have no meaning.

Dream Theories Mental Garbage Theory: • developed by psychologists Crick & Mitchinson (also called the Housekeeping Hypothesis) • during REM sleep, the brain jettisons mental garbage (i. e. “we dream in order to forget”) • clearing out of unneeded neural connections

Dream Theories Problem-Solving Theory: • developed by psychologist Cartwright • dreams give us uninterrupted time to deal with emotional issues in our lives • when we are free of problems, we use our dreams to express creativity • symbols & metaphors convey true meaning to our dreams

Meditation Definition: • method used to narrow consciousness so that outside stresses fade away Additional Info: • is self-induced • focus on peaceful, repetitive stimulus in order to relax (research supports) • provides heightened awareness, tranquility, & time of internal reflection

Hypnosis Definition: • Altered state of consciousness in which people respond to suggestions and behave as if in a trance Additional Info: • Began w/ German doctor Franz Mesmer in the late 1700’s • brought about via techniques used by a hypnotist • is used for pain control, anesthetic, reduce anxiety, overcome fears, quit smoking,

Biofeedback Definition: • Treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own body • Provides information in which the subject was unaware of to learn or gain ways to control physical issues/processes Biofeedback provides info about/treats: • • headaches (migraines/tension) digestive disorders blood pressure issues cardiac arrhythmias Reynaud's disease Epilepsy paralysis stroke

Drugs Hallucinogens: • Alters the perceptions of reality & causes other perceptual distortions • Examples LSD, PSP, marijuana Narcotics: • Used to relieve pain & induce sleep • Examples opium, morphine, heroin

Drugs Depressants: • slows the functioning & activity of the nervous system • Examples alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics Stimulants: • increases the functioning/activity of the central nervous system • Examples nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines

Others: Jet-Lag: • Alterations to the body’s circadian rhythms resulting from travel (east-west or west-east) on a plane Daydreaming/Fantasizing: • imagining alternative solutions/choices Near-Death Experiences: • Personal experience with impending death • Cannot be explained by psychologists