M6 - Consciousness and its Altered States PDF

Sleep a natural temporary state of rest during which an individual becomes physically inactive and unaware of the surrounding environment and many bodily functions (as breathing) slow. The Stages of Sleep Most of us consider sleep a time of tranquility when we set aside the tensions of the day and...

Sleep a natural temporary state of rest during which an individual becomes physically inactive and unaware of the surrounding environment and many bodily functions (as breathing) slow. The Stages of Sleep Most of us consider sleep a time of tranquility when we set aside the tensions of the day and spend the night in uneventful slumber. However, a closer look at sleep shows that a good deal of activity occurs throughout the night, and that what at first appears to be a unitary state is, in fact, quite diverse. Measures of electrical activity in the brain show that the brain is active through sleep. It produces electrical discharges with systematic, wavelike patterns that change in height and speed in regular sequences. There is also a physical activity in muscle and eye movements. People progress through a series of distinct stages of sleep during a night’s rest-known as stage 1 through stage 3 (non-REM) and REM sleep- moving through the stages in cycles lasting about 90 minutes. Each of these sleep stages is associated with a unique pattern of brain waves. Stage 1 sleep - When people first go to sleep, they move from a waking state in which they are relaxed with their eyes closed. It is characterized by relatively rapid, low- amplitude brain waves. This is actually a stage of transition between wakefulness and sleep and lasts only a few minutes. During stage 1, images sometimes appear, as if we were viewing still photos although this is not true dreaming, which occurs later in the night. Stage 2 sleep - is characterized by a slower, more regular wave pattern. However, there are also momentary interruptions of sharply pointed, spiky waves that are called sleep spindles. It becomes increasingly difficult to awaken the person from sleep as stage 2 progresses. Stage 3 sleep - the deepest stage, the brain waves become slower, with higher peaks and lower valleys in the wave pattern. People are least responsive to outside stimulation. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) - Several times a night, when sleepers have cycled back to a shallower state of sleep, something curious happens. Their heart rate increases and  becomes irregular, their blood pressure rises, and their breathing rate increases. Most characteristic of this period is the back-and-forth movement of their eyes, as if they were watching an action-filled movie. REM sleep occupies a little over 20 percent of adults’ total sleeping time. REM sleep is usually accompanied by dreams, which-whether or not people remember them-are experienced by everyone. Although some dreaming occurs in non-REM stages, dreams are most likely to occur in the REM period, where they are most vivid and easily remembered. Why do we sleep and how much sleep is necessary? Sleep is a requirement for normal human functioning, although, surprisingly, we don’t know exactly why. It is reasonable to expect that our bodies would require a tranquil “rest and relaxation” period to revitalize themselves. sleep permitted our ancestors to conserve energy at night reduced activity of the brain gives neurons a chance to repair themselves Scientists have also been unable to establish how much sleep is absolutely required. Most people today sleep between seven-eight hours each night. Sleep requirements also vary over the course of a lifetime: as they age, people generally need less and less sleep. Sleep Disturbances Insomnia - difficulty sleeping. It could be due to a particular situation. Some cases of insomnia have no obvious cause. Some people are simply unable to fall asleep easily or they go to sleep readily but wake up frequently during the night. Sleep apnea - is a condition in which a person has difficulty breathing while sleeping. The result is disturbed, fitful sleep, as the person is constantly reawakened when the lack of oxygen becomes great enough to trigger a waking response. Sudden infant death syndrome - a mysterious killer of seemingly normal infants who die while sleeping. This can be related to sleep apnea. Night terrors - are sudden awakenings from non-REM sleep that are accompanied by extreme fear, panic, and strong physiological arousal. Usually occurring in stage 3 sleep, night terrors may be so frightening that a sleeper awakens with a shriek. Narcolepsy - is uncontrollable sleeping that occurs for short periods while a person is awake. No matter what the activity-holding a heated conversation, exercising, driving-a narcoleptic will suddenly fall asleep. People with narcolepsy go directly from wakefulness to REM sleep, skipping other stages. The causes are not known, although there may be a genetic component because narcolepsy runs in families. sleeptalking and sleepwalking - two sleep disturbances that are usually harmless. Both occur during stage 3 sleep and are more common in children than in adults. Sleeptalkers and sleepwalkers usually have a vague consciousness of the world around them, and a sleepwalker may be able to walk with agility around obstructions in a crowded room. Sleeping better Do you have trouble sleeping? a lot of people have sleep problems. For those who spend hours tossing and turning in bed, psychologists studying sleep disturbances have a number of suggestions: Exercise during the day Choose a regular bedtime and stick to it Avoid long naps Avoid drinks with caffeine after lunch Drink a glass of warm milk Avoid sleeping pills Meditation: Regulating Our Own State of Consciousness When traditional practitioners of the ancient Eastern religion of Zen Buddhism want to achieve greater spiritual insight, they turn to a technique that has been used for centuries to alter their state of consciousness. This is called Meditation. Meditation is a learned technique for refocusing attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness. Meditation typically consists of the repetition of a mantra-sound, word, syllable- over and over. In other forms of meditation, the focus is on a picture, flame or specific part of the body. The key procedure is concentrating on it so thoroughly that the meditator becomes unaware of any outside stimulation and reaches a different state of consciousness. After meditation, people feel thoroughly relaxed. They sometimes relate that they have gained new insights into themselves and the problems they are facing. The long term practice of meditation may even improve health because of the biological changes it produces. For example, during meditation, oxygen usage decreases, heart rate and blood pressure decline, and brain-wave patterns change. Altering Consciousness with Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive Drugs - influence a person’s emotions, perceptions, and behavior. Yet even this category of drugs is common in most of our lives. If you ever had a cup of coffee or sipped a beer, you have taken a psychoactive drug. A large number of individuals have used more potent and more dangerous psychoactive drugs than coffee and beer. The most dangerous drugs are addictive. Addictive drugs produce a biological or psychological dependence in the user. When a drug is addictive, withdrawal from the drug leads to a craving for it that, in some cases, may be nearly irresistible. In physiological drug dependence, the body becomes so accustomed to functioning in the presence of a drug that it cannot function without it. In psychological drug dependence, people believe that they need the drug to respond to the stresses of daily living. Everyday sorts of drugs such as caffeine and nicotine have addictive aspects as well. Why do people use drugs? pleasure of the experience escape, temporarily, from the everyday pressures of life drugs attempt to achieve a religious or spiritual state influence motive - simply the thrill of trying something new genetic factors may predispose some people to be more susceptible to drugs and to become addicted to them. Regardless of the forces that lead a person to begin using drugs, drug addiction is among the most difficult of all behaviors to modify, even with extensive treatment. Stimulants: Drug Highs Drugs whose effect on the nervous system causes a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscular tension. It increases arousal in the nervous system. Caffeine - is present in tea, soft drinks, and chocolate as well as coffee. It produces several reactions. The major behavioral effects are an increase in attentiveness and a decrease in reaction time. Caffeine can also bring about an improvement in mood. Too much caffeine however, can result in nervousness and insomnia. Regular users who suddenly stop drinking coffee may experience headaches or depression. Nicotine - found in cigarettes. The soothing effects of nicotine help explain why cigarette smoking is addictive. Those who suddenly stop smoking develop strong cravings for it. Nicotine activates neural mechanisms similar to those activated by cocaine. Amphetamines - are strong stimulants. In small quantities they bring about a sense of energy and alertness, talkativeness, heightened confidence, and a mood “high”. They increase concentration and reduce fatigue. It also causes a loss of appetite, increased anxiety, and irritability. When taken over long periods of time, it can cause feelings of being persecuted by others, as well as a general sense of suspiciousness. If taken in large quantities, it can overstimulate the nervous system to an extent of convulsions or even death. Cocaine - is inhaled or snorted through the nose, smoked, or injected directly into the bloodstream. It is rapid and takes effect almost immediately. When used it produces feelings of profound psychological well-being, increased confidence, and alertness.  Cocaine produces dopamine which is related to feelings of pleasure. Overtime, users deteriorate mentally and physically. It can cause hallucinations and can lead to death. Depressants: Drug Lows In contrast to the effect of stimulants, the effect of depressants is to impede the nervous system by causing neurons to fire more slowly. Small doses result in at least temporary feelings of intoxication-drunkenness, along with a sense of euphoria and joy. When large amounts are taken, speech becomes slurred and muscle control becomes disjointed, making motion difficult. Alcohol - although it is a depressant, most people believe that it increases their sense of sociability and well-being. This belief is caused because initially alcohol may lead to reduction in tension and stress, feelings of happiness, and loss of inhibitions. As dose of alcohol increases, the depressive effects become more pronounced. People may feel emotionally and physically unstable. They show poor judgement and may act aggressively. Memory is impaired, spatial information is diminished, and speech becomes slurred. Eventually they may pass out. Barbiturates - produce a sense of relaxation and are frequently prescribed by physicians to induce sleep or reduce stress. Rohypnol - sometimes called “the date rape drug” because when it is mixed with alcohol, it can prevent victims from resisting sexual assault. Sometimes people who are unknowingly given the drug are so incapacitated that they have no memory of the assault. Narcotics: Relieving Pain and Anxiety Drugs that increase relaxation and relieve pain and anxiety. Morphine - is used medically to control severe pain. Heroine - users inject the drug with a needle. a user experiences a sense of well-being and peacefulness that lasts 3-5 hours. When it wears off users will feel extreme anxiety and desperate to repeat the experience. Moreover, larger amounts of heroin are needed each time to produce the same pleasurable effect. Hallucinogens: Psychedelic Drugs Drugs that alter perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. They can even produce hallucinations, the experience of sensing things such as sights, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. Marijuana - most common hallucinogen. It is typically smoked in cigarettes or pipes, although it can be cooked or eaten. Effects of marijuana vary from person to person, but typically consist of feelings of euphoria and general well-being. Sensory experiences seem more vivid and intense, and a person’s sense of self-importance seems to grow. Memory can be impaired, causing the user to feel pleasantly “spaced out”. Marijuana does not seem to produce addiction except for a small number of heavy users but it can also affect the brain and can impact cognitive ability negatively in the long run. It can also decrease male sex hormone affecting sexual activity and sperm count. Marijuana is routine in certain cultures. People in Jamaica habitually drink a marijuana based tea related to religious practices. It also has several medical uses; it can prevent nausea from chemotherapy. treat some AIDS symptoms, and relieve muscle spasms for people with spinal cord injuries. MDMA (Ecstacy or Molly) and LSD - produces feelings of increased energy and euphoria, users also report feeling increased empathy and connection with others. It is often used in raves and music festivals, it has led to a rising number of overdoses and even deaths. Users may experience decline in memory and performance on intellectual tasks. It provides vivid hallucinations. Perceptions of colors, sounds, and shapes are altered so much that even the most mundane experience can seem moving and exciting.