ConsciousnessSleeping, Dreaming, and More

Did you know...• World Record –

Longest period of time a human has intentionally gone without sleep (no stimulants)

• Randy Gardner (1964) 17-years old

• 264 Hours (11 days)

• Health was monitored – negative cognitive & behavioral changes were reported

Facts

Although some people insist they NEVER dream, research suggests EVERYONE dreams during the night

In sleep labs, people wakened from REM periods report 80-100% were dreaming w/ vivid & colorful images (even bizarre)

ConsciousnessDifferent levels of awareness of one’s thoughts & feeling (i.e. states of awareness)

Continuum of ConsciousnessControlled Processes

Require full awarenessAlertness & concentration interferes

w/ execution of other activitiesDriving a Car for the first time

Automatic Processes

Requires little awareness, take minimal attention,

and do NOT interfere w/ other activities

Eating while reading or watching television

Driving along familiar route

Daydreaming

Low level of awareness requiredOften occurs during automatic

processesInvolves fantasizing or dreaming while

awake

Usually happens at time where little attention is required,

repetitive or boring activities

Altered StatesResult from: medication, hypnosis,

psychoactive drugs, or sleep deprivation to produce an awareness different than normal consciousness

LSD

Sleep 5 different stages

Dreaming--a unique state conscious

As we sleep, we experience astonishing images (visual,

tactile, auditory)

SLEEP

HOW MUCH SLEEP DO I NEED?

Humans spend approx 1/3 of life asleep

Sleep is largely related to biological clocks and circadian rhythms but how much sleep we get is often determined by the environment and 24-hour clock we follow.

Biological clocks are internal timing devices that are genetically set to regulate various physiological responses for different periods of time

• Tells you when to eat, sleep, wake-up, etc.

•Circadian rhythm refers to a biological clock that is genetically programmed to regulate physiological responses within a time period of 24 hours• Ex. plants that open up and close during a day

Studies found that humans circadian clock

is naturally set to 24 hours, 18 minutes.

Although sunlight helps reset the clock

everyday, it would still function without it.

Circadian Rhythm Disorder Causes

–Time zone change (Jet lag)–Shift work–Medication, Drugs, Alcohol–Stress

Effects of disrupting Circadian Rhythm

–Weight gain–Impulsive behavior–Slowed thought processing

Stages of SleepThe distinctive changes in the electrical activity of the brain & the accompanying physiological responses of the body that occur as you pass through different stages of sleep

EEG (Electroencephalogram) records brain waves; frequency (speed) & amplitude (height)

NREM NREM NREM NREMStages of Sleep

REM

REM sleep, which stands for rapid eye movement is one type of sleep. During this time

our eyes move very rapidly in all directions inside the eye sockets.

This is the time when we will dream.

Roughly 20-25% of sleep time

REM sleep remains for about 15 to 45 minutes then passes into non-REM sleep

Your voluntary muscles are paralyzed.

There are two (2) major types of sleep

Very vivid dreams can occur.

Each REM will last longer than the previous one, and each period will increase in length as the night progresses.

Dreams that you remember are those that occurred closest to the morning because they are the longest and come at a time when you are almost awake.

NREM sleep. This stands for non-rapid eye movement and is the other type of

sleep. where you spend approximately 75- 80% of your sleep time

Divided into 4 stages (first four)

Decreases in length as nights’ sleep progresses.

Night terrors occur

Sleepwalking and talking occur.

Why do I sleep?

Suggestion Support

Repair Theory

Activities during the day deplete key factors

in our brain or body that are replenished or

repaired by sleep

1. During Stage 4 sleep--marked by secretion of GH, which controls aspects of

metabolism, physical growth, & brain development

2. Repair immune system

3. Restore energy (gylycogen) & chemicals

Adaptive Theory

Sleep evolved because it prevented early

humans & animals from wasting energy &

exposing themselves to the dangers of

nocturnal predators

Large animals (ex: lions) sleep A LOT & wherever they want

Prey animals (ex: antelope) sleep less & in protected areas

Humans have evolved to avoid being prey

Sleep Problems & Treatment

DefinitionAssociated

withTreatment

Insomnia

Difficulties either going to sleep or staying asleep at night

Causes: overload of stressful events, grieving loss/death,

coping w/ mental health, changes in night-shift work,

chronic pain, medical problems, abusing alcohol or sedative

Daytime - fatigue, impaired concentration,

memory difficulty, lack of well-being

15-40% of Adults have

Establish an optimal sleep pattern

Sleep-induced drugs to reduce anxiety

Sleep Apnea

Repeated periods during sleep when a person stops breathing

for 10 seconds or longer, momentarily waking up,

resume breathing, and return to sleep

May wake up 200-400 times a night

Daytime - exhausted; chances of developing increases when store,

overweight, use alcohol or sedatives

20 million adults have

Do NOT let sleep on back

Blow air into sealed mask at night

Mouth device

Surgery (to remove tonsils or alter jaw

NarcolepsyExcessive sleepiness during day w/ brief periods of REM

sleep & loss of muscle control

BIG emotional changes can trigger

Typically begins in adolescence or young

adulthood

Sleep Problems & Treatment

DefinitionAssociated

withTreatment

Night Terrors

Occur during stages 3 or 4 of sleep

Frightening experiences during sleep with NO memory of

1. Often start with a piercing scream

2. Appears to be awakened in a fearful

state (rapid breathing & increased heart rate)

3-7% of children have

not much.

Nightmares

Occur during REM sleep

Frightening, anxiety-producing images that occur during

dreaming

Involve danger--being attacked, injured, or pursued

Upon waking, person can describe in detail

25-70% of children aged 3-6 have

47% of college students have at least 1x a month

Regular use of anxiety-reduction techniques

Sleepwalki

ng

Occurs in stages 3 or 4

Consists of getting up & walking while literally sound

asleep

Usually have POOR coordination--clumsy but can avoid objects, engage in conversations, have no

memory of

Typically begins in adolescence or young

adulthood

DREAMS

FREUD’S THEORY OF DREAM INTERPRETATION

“censor” protects us from threatening thoughts by transforming our secret, guilt-ridden and

anxiety-provoking desires into harmless symbols that appear in our dreams and do not

disturb our sleep or conscious thoughts

Extensions of Waking Life• Dreams reflect the same thoughts, fears,

concerns, problems, and emotions that we have when awake

HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that involves being in a relaxed state with a

heightened ability to focus on specific things, while ignoring usual distractions.

Suggestion is a basic part of hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state that helps a person focus attention on

certain objects, acts, or feelings.

Hypnosis is an intense form of relaxation with the person fully conscious.

Meditation is a form of self-control in which a person can cut off the outside world.

DrugsEffect Consciousness

Distort perception

Change moods

Cause to see or hear things

Studies found

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug

Marijuana is most frequently used illegal drug

42.3% of 12th graders have tried Marijuana

Marijuana effects brain – impairs short-term memory, perception, judgement, motor skills

DrugsNational Institute of Drug Abuse study (2011) on high school students found

Daily Marijuana use at it’s highest since the early 80’s

In some measures, marijuana use is ahead of cigarette smoking

21.4% of 12th grade students used marijuana in the last 30 days

After marijuana, prescription drugs 2nd most abused

Alcohol use and binge drinking has steadily declined (53.4% in 2009 to 47% in 2010)

Drugs: TERMSPsychoactive drugs - Chemicals that affect or nervous system &, as

a result, may alter consciousness & awareness, influence how we

sense & perceive things, & modify our moods, feelings, emotions, &

thoughts, include:

Addiction - Person has developed a behavioral pattern of drug

abuse. Change in the nervous system so that a person now

NEEDS to take the drug to prevent the occurrence of painful

withdrawal symptoms

Overwhelming & compulsive desire to obtain & use drug

Even after stopping—person has strong tendency to relapse &

use again

Drugs: TERMS

Tolerance - After a person uses a drug repeatedly over a period

of time, original dose of drug NO longer produces the desired

effect, so a person must take increasingly larger doses of drug to

achieve same behavioral effect

Abuse – Harm to self or others

Types of Drugs

• Depressants: Slow Activity of nervous system

• Alcohol

• Barbituates

Alcohol

Types of Drugs

Stimulants: increase the activity of the nervous system

Speed up breathing and heart rate

Elevate mood, increased feeling of well being – caffeine = legal drug

Nicotine

Amphetamines

Help you stay awake or reduce appetite

Cocaine

Types of Drugs

• Hallucinogens: Produce hallucinations

• May cause relaxation or feelings of pleasure

• Marijuana

• LSD

• Ecstacy (MDMA)

Opiates