Chapter 7Altered States of Consciousness

Chapter 7 Section 1

Sleep and Dreams

Consciousness – a state of awareness, including a person’s feelings, sensations, ideas & perceptions.

A person who is not completely aware is in a different level of consciousness – an altered state of consciousness. Sleep illustrates an altered state of consciousness.

I. Why do we sleep?

A. Sleep is restorative; it allows people to “charge up their batteries”

1. Sleep is a time when the brain recovers from exhaustion & stress

B. Sleep is a type of primitive hibernation

1. We sleep to conserve energy.

C. Sleep is an adaptive process

1. In earlier times, sleep kept humans out of harm’s way at night when humans would have been most vulnerable to animals with better night vision.

D. We sleep to clear our minds of useless information.

E. We sleep to dream.

II. Stages of sleep

A. Falling asleep

1. Body temperature decreases2. Pulse rate3. Breathing becomes slow and even4. Body may twitch, eyes roll & brief visual images flash across

your mind

B. Stage I

1. Pulse slows a bit more & muscles relax2. Breathing become uneven & brain waves grow irregular3. If awaken during this stage, people would say they are “just

drifting”4. Lasts for up to 10 minutes

C. Stage II

1. Brain waves shift2. Eyes roll slowly from side to side3. Lasts for about 30 minutes

D. Stage III

1. Deep slow brain waves2. Transitional period between light sleep and very deep sleep

E. Stage IV

1. Deepest sleep of all & difficult to wake up2. Feeling disoriented will result if awoke during this stage3. Talking out loud, sleepwalking & bed-wetting may occur at this

stage 4. Lasts for approximately 30 minutes

F. Stage V (REM sleep)

1. Active sleep2. Rapid eye movement3. Breathing and pulse rate becomes irregular4. Face or fingers twitch & large muscles in arms & legs are

paralyzed5. Almost all dreaming normally takes place during this stage6. Lasts from about 15 to 45 minutes

G. Sleep cycles occur every 90 minutes or so and happens 4 or 5 times a night

III. How much sleep?

A. The amount of sleep a person needs to function effectively varies considerably from individual to individual and from time to time within a person’s life.

Chapter 7 Section 1-2

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders may interfere with our quality of life and personal health, as well as endanger public safety because of their role in industrial or traffic accidents.

InsomniaA. A prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep.

B. Three different types1. Transient – lasts for less than a week2. Acute – lasts for less than a month3. Chronic – lasts for more than a month

C. Varying patterns of insomnia1. Trouble getting to sleep2. Waking up and having trouble falling back to sleep3. Waking up several hours early in the morning

D. Causes1. Alcohol and/or drugs2. Stress3. Anxiety/Depression4. Medical conditions5. Change in environment or work schedule, temperature of room,

noise, etc.

E. Treatments1. Cognitive/behavioral treatments, medication

Sleep ApneaA. A sleep disorder in which a person has trouble breathing while

asleep.

B. Causes1. Physical problem which blocks airway – enlarged tonsils,

repeated infections in the throat or middle ear or obesity.

C. Symptoms1. Snoring – not everyone that snores has sleep apnea2. Morning headaches3. Memory/learning/concentration problems4. Feeling irritable, depressed, mood swings or personality

changes5. Dry/sore throat when waking

D. Treatments1. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)

machine2. Mouthpiece to keep airway open3. Losing weight and other lifestyle changes

NarcolepsyA. A condition characterized by suddenly falling asleep or feeling

very sleepy during the day.

B. Causes1. Unknown but genetic studies show there may be a genetic

link.

C. Symptoms1. Persistent drowsiness2. Sudden, uncontrollable need to sleep during the day which

may occur several times during the day.3. Awake & refreshed feeling after each episode4. Sudden loss of muscle tone usually associated with emotional

reactions

D. Treatment1. There is no known cure for narcolepsy. Treatment is aimed at

controlling the symptoms.A 25 year old hairdresser went to her GP with the problem of increasing difficulty staying awake during the day. Her sleepiness had developed over the past 3 years. It had reached the stage where she was falling

asleep during work breaks, and sometimes needed rousing by her boss to return to her clients. On days off she would regularly sleep half the day away. This was not an immediate problem, but she and her husband

were hoping to start a family and she was worried that her sleepiness would make this impossible.She was also experiencing embarrassing symptoms of sudden leg weakness whenever she laughed

(cataplexy). On a number of occasions she had collapsed to the floor behind clients in the middle of doing their hair. She had begun to avoid interacting with customers and it had been commented to her boss that

she had developed an aloof manner.

NightmaresA. Unpleasant dreams that occur during REM sleep that typically occur

during the later part of the night & will usually awaken the sleeper who will recall the nightmare. Usually occurs in childhood and decreases into adulthood.

B. Causes1. Stress, anxiety, major life event2. Fever, adverse reaction or side effect of a drug3. Excessive use of alcohol or drug or alcohol withdrawal

C. Treatments1. Psychotherapy to pinpoint causes of nightmares

Night TerrorsD. Sleep disruptions that occur during Stage IV of sleep, involving

screaming, panic or confusion and inability to recall the bad dream & usually occur between ages 3-8.

E. Causes1. Sleep deprivation, fatigue, stress, anxiety, fever

F. Treatment1. Typically just comfort & reassurance. Medication is generally not

recommended.

SleepwalkingA. Walking or carrying out behaviors while asleep.

B. Causes1. Fatigue, stress & anxiety2. Mental disorders or medical conditions3. Reactions to drugs/alcohol

C. Treatment1. No specific treatment is needed

Sleep TalkingD. Talking which can occur in any stage of

sleep

B. Causes1. Medications, emotional stress, fever,

mental health disorder, substanceabuse

C. Treatment1. No specific treatment is needed

Sleep ParalysisA. A person’s inability to move upon waking. May or may not have

hallucinations as well.

B. Causes1. Fatigue, sleep deprivation, certain drugs or medications

C. TreatmentA. No known treatment other than education along with

relaxation techniques.B. Some people associate sleep paralysis with paranormal

activity.

Chapter 7 Section 1-3

Dreams

Dreams are the mental activity that takes place during sleep. Everyone dreams, although most people are able to recall only a few, if any, of their dreams.

Why do we dream?

A. Dreams are the window to our unconscious feelings & desires (Freud)

B. Dreaming is the bodies way of “self-edification”, which is the building up of the mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Dreaming allows us to reach our full-potential.

C. During sleep, our brains organize all the information gathered through the day and dreams are a small amount of information that is being scanned and sorted.

D. Dreams are used as a way of clearing out memories, making room for new.

Content of Dreams

We incorporate our everyday activities into our dreams. Most dreams occur in such commonplace settings as living rooms, cars & streets. Most dreams involve either strenuous recreational activities or passive events such as sitting and watching. A large percentage of emotions experienced in dreams are negative or unpleasant and they correspond to a realistic time scale.

Dream Interpretation

In many of the ancient societies, such as Egypt and Greece, dreaming was considered a supernatural communication or a means of divine intervention, whose message could be interpreted by those with certain powers. Nowadays there are a wide variety of resources that an individual can use to decipher their dreams.

Chapter 7 Section 2Hypnosis, Biofeedback &

Meditation

Hypnosis – a form of altered consciousness in which people become highly suggestible to changes in behavior and thought.

• Hypnosis does not put the participant to sleep but they become highly receptive & responsive to certain internal & external stimuli & are able to focus their attention on one tiny aspect of reality & ignore all other inputs.

Uses for hypnosis• pain management• weight loss • skin disease• soothing anxious surgical patients• psychological therapy• habit control • a way to relax• sports performance• fears and phobias

Hypnosis Myths

Myth 1: When you wake up from hypnosis, you won’t remember anything that happened when you were hypnotized.• While amnesia may occur in very rare cases, people generally remember

everything that occurred while they were hypnotized.

Myth 2: Hypnosis can help people remember the exact details of a crime they witnessed.• Research has found that hypnosis does not lead to significant memory

enhancement or accuracy, and hypnosis can actually lead to false or distorted memories.

Myth 3: You can be hypnotized against your will.• Despite stories about people being hypnotized without their consent, hypnosis

requires voluntary participation on the part of the patient.

Myth 4: The hypnotist has complete control of your actions while you’re under hypnosis.• While people often feel that their actions under hypnosis seem to occur without

the influence of their will, a hypnotist cannot make you perform actions that are against your values or morals.

Myth 5: Hypnosis can make you super-strong, fast or athletically talented.• While hypnosis can be used to enhance performance, it cannot make people stronger

or more athletic than their existing physical capabilities.

MeditationThe focusing of attention to clear one’s mind and produce relaxation.

Three major approaches:1. Transcendental meditation – mental repetition of a mantra for 15-

20 minutes twice a day2. Mindfulness meditation – developed from a Buddhist tradition &

focuses on the present moment moving the focus throughout the body from the tips of the toes to the top of the head.

3. Breath meditation – concentrating on one’s respiration.

Difference between Meditation & Hypnosis

Meditation is commonly described as the absence of all thought.  Aim is to have a still mind, free from conscious thought.  If any conscious thoughts in words enter your mind, you must find a way of making them disappear.

Hypnotherapy is aimed at a specific therapeutic outcome. This might be weight loss, quitting smoking, removing phobias etc.  At the beginning of a hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist may employ some  meditation-like techniques in order to quiet the conscious part of the mind.  Once the chattering conscious mind is still, they are then more able to give the subconscious part of the mind pre agreed therapeutic suggestions.

Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet.

It is a way of entering into the quiet that is already there -

buried under the 50,000 thoughtsthe average person thinks every day.

~ Deepak Chopra

Chapter 7 Section 3Drugs & Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs interact with the central nervous system to alter a person’s mood, perception, and behavior.

How Drugs WorkDrugs are absorbed into the blood & the drug molecules act like neurotransmitters, attach onto the ends of nerve cells and send out their own chemical messages.

Marijuana

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Marijuana has a chemical in it called tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. All forms of marijuana are mind-altering (psychoactive). In other words, they change how the brain works.

It’s difficult to know how marijuana will affect a specific person at any given time, because its effects vary based on individual factors: a person’s genetics, whether they’ve used marijuana or any other drugs before, how much marijuana is taken, and its potency. Effects can also be unpredictable when marijuana is used in combination with other drugs.

Physical effects include: Psychological effects include:

rapid heart rate euphoria increased blood pressure distorted sense of time increased rate of breathing paranoia red eyes magical or “random” thinking dry mouth short-term memory loss increased appetite, or "the munchies" anxiety and depression slowed reaction time

Long term effects of Marijuana

Increase risk of cancer. The amount of tar, carbon monoxide, and cancer causing chemicals inhaled in marijuana smoke are three to five times greater than that inhaled from the same amount of tobacco smoke.

Damage to lungs and airways. Just like cigarette smokers, people who smoke marijuana often develop breathing problems – coughing, wheezing. They tend to have more chest colds as non-users and are at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia.

Weakened immune system. Studies have shown that THC can damage the immune system – the cells and tissues in the body that help protect against disease. When the immune cells are weakened, you are more likely to get sick.

Difficulty remembering things and concentrating.

Lack of motivation. You could lose interest in school, work and activities that you enjoy.

Risk of mental health problems – depression, anxiety, schizophrenia

Risk of addiction. Today, more teens enter treatment for marijuana dependency than for all other illicit drugs combined.

HallucinogensAffects, in a dramatic way, the perception, thought/mental processes, self-awareness, sensations and emotions/mood. LSD is the most well known, and most powerful of this class of drugs. Also includes PCP, Ketamine, Mushrooms, and Peyote.

Short – Term Effects Each hallucinogen has specific effects, and effects are variable, but generally speaking: • Short-term memory impaired • Thinking and concentration impaired • Intensification of smells, vision and hearing • Can experience “depersonalization”, where a person can feel as

though they are observing themselves from outside their body

• Effects have been described as pleasant, with a sense of insight • Effects have been described as unpleasant, causing feelings of

panic and/or distress

Long - Term Effects• Flashbacks weeks, months, or even years after the drug use • Decreased motivation • Prolonged depression and/or increased panic • Impaired memory and concentration • Possible severe mental disturbances and/or psychosis • Increased delusions

Opiates (downers)Drugs that alleviate pain, depress body functions and reactions and when taken in large doses, causes a strong euphoric feeling and are very highly addictive. Can be found naturally or are synthetic and include heroin, morphine, opium, OxyContin, codeine, Fentanyl, methadone, Darvocet, Dilaudid, Norco, Lortab, Vicodin, Tylenol 3. Some opiate addicts use cocaine at the same time to counteract the effects of the opiate which is known as speedballing.

Short – Term Side Effects• Mood changes • Impaired mental functioning and alertness • Constricted pupils • Depression and apathy • Impaired coordination • Physical fatigue and drowsiness • Nausea, vomiting and constipation • Impaired respiration

Long – Term Side Effects• Tolerance which could potentially lead to death• Users ignores personal hygiene and health• IV users at a greater risk for hepatitis or HIV• Greater chance of overdose

Withdrawal symptomsUsually start with 12 hours of last usage• Agitation • Anxiety • Muscle aches • Increased tearing • Insomnia • Runny nose • Sweating • Abdominal cramping • Diarrhea • Nausea • Vomiting

Withdrawal symptoms are extremely uncomfortable but are not life-threatening. Withdrawal is treated with medications to control the symptoms but can lead to a dependence or misuse. (Methadone)

Stimulants (uppers)Stimulants are substances that increase, or stimulate the normal activity of the central nervous system. In other words, they increase the normal level of awareness, alertness and energy in one's mind and body. Illegal stimulants such as methamphetamine, crack, cocaine or ecstasy are extremely addictive. Legal stimulants include caffeine and nicotine and prescription medications for ADHD such as Adderall, Conserta and Ritalin.

Short – Term Side Effects• elevated body temperature• increased heart rate and blood pressure• decreased appetite• nervousness• sweating• abnormally high energy• dilated eyes• irritability

Long – Term Side EffectsCocaine & CrackIrregular heartbeat Heart attackChest pain Respiratory failureStroke Seizures and headachesAbdominal pain and nausea Overdose

Methamphetaminesviolent behavior psychotic behaviorauditory hallucinations mood disturbancesdelusions and paranoia homicidal or suicidal thoughtsbrain damage anorexia and/or skin diseases

TranquilizersTranquilizers are prescription drugs used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They have a calming effect by depressing the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. The most commonly known forms of tranquilizers are the benzodiazephines (benzos) which include Xanax, Ativan and valium.

Short – Term Side Effects• difficulty concentrating• a “floating” or disconnected sensation• depressed heartbeat• depressed breathing• excessive sleep & sleepiness• mental confusion and memory loss

Long – Term Side Effects• increased aggressiveness extreme depression • memory loss brain shrinkage

Withdrawal Symptomsrapid heartbeat shaky handsinsomnia or disturbed sleep sweatingirritability anxiety & agitation

AlcoholAlcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug in the US, more than tobacco and illicit drugs. It is a depressant and the effects are dependant on a variety of factors such as a person’s size, weight, age and gender, as well as the amount of food and alcohol.

Short – Term Side Effects• uninhibited leading to risky sexual behaviors• dizziness• talkativeness• slurred speech• disturbed sleep• nausea• vomiting• impaired judgment• increase in aggressiveness

Long – Term Side Effects• addiction• dementia• stroke or heart attack• depression, anxiety, suicide• cancer• liver diseases – cirrhosis, hepatitis

Withdrawal Symptoms – The more heavily you drink everyday, the more likely you will have withdrawal symptoms when you stop.

anxiety and/or depression fatigueirritability shakinessnightmares mood swingsheadaches insomnianausea and vomiting rapid heart ratesweating seizuresfever delirium

Binge DrinkingConsuming large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time with the intention of becoming intoxicated. Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent.

Effectsinjuries alcohol poisoningSTD’s and/or unintended pregnancy liver diseaseneurological damage high blood pressure, stroke and

other cardiovascular diseases