ConsciousnessConsciousness

What is it?What is it?

Can we look at it directly?Can we look at it directly?

The mystery of consciousnessThe mystery of consciousness

Something we all know intimately, but can’t Something we all know intimately, but can’t define?define?

So hard to pin down, many don’t even trySo hard to pin down, many don’t even try A person’s awareness of everything that is A person’s awareness of everything that is

going on around him or her at any given going on around him or her at any given momentmoment

We try to understand it by looking at We try to understand it by looking at ourselves when it is alteredourselves when it is altered

sleepsleep

CircadianCircadian rhythms rhythms - patterns of - patterns of activity/inactivity of about 24 hrs.activity/inactivity of about 24 hrs.– Sleep Wake CycleSleep Wake Cycle

Shared by all living things to aid adaptationShared by all living things to aid adaptation

the circadian rhythmthe circadian rhythm

Originates in the Originates in the hypothalamushypothalamus Calibrated by the sun but not dependent Calibrated by the sun but not dependent

on iton it

We all sleep, Why?We all sleep, Why?

Repair and Restoration Repair and Restoration Abilities and mood typically falter without it Abilities and mood typically falter without it We also are more likely to get sickWe also are more likely to get sick But our level of activity doesn’t correlate with But our level of activity doesn’t correlate with

our needour need

Why sleep? iiWhy sleep? ii

To learn – neuronal connections strengthenTo learn – neuronal connections strengthen We solve tough problems easierWe solve tough problems easier Our Our hippocampus hippocampus mints new neuronsmints new neurons

The stages of sleepThe stages of sleep

Researchers have investigated sleep Researchers have investigated sleep through the use of:through the use of:

1)1)Electroencephalographs Electroencephalographs (EEGs) (EEGs) which measureelectrical activity electrical activity within the brainwithin the brain, , andand 2) 2) PolysomnographsPolysomnographs which measure which measure eye movements. eye movements.

Sleep stages iiSleep stages ii

As we sleep our brains and, eventually, the As we sleep our brains and, eventually, the movements of our eyes follow regular movements of our eyes follow regular stagesstages

Stage 1 –brain is slowing downStage 1 –brain is slowing down Stage 2 – 4 waves slow gradually and Stage 2 – 4 waves slow gradually and

become increasingly rhythmic, indicating become increasingly rhythmic, indicating less activity, eyes still inactiveless activity, eyes still inactive

The rem stageThe rem stage

After Stage 4, we move back through After Stage 4, we move back through Stages 3 and then 2, but instead of then Stages 3 and then 2, but instead of then going into Stage 1, we enter into ….going into Stage 1, we enter into ….

REM sleep REM sleep in which our eyes suddenly in which our eyes suddenly move about, as if we were awake, and our move about, as if we were awake, and our brain waves become fast and choppy like brain waves become fast and choppy like Stage 1 Stage 1

These cycles run for about 90 minutesThese cycles run for about 90 minutes

Rem sleepRem sleep

Discovered by researchers at both Stanford Discovered by researchers at both Stanford and in France in the 1950’s, REM sleep has and in France in the 1950’s, REM sleep has a number of fascinating qualities:a number of fascinating qualities:

1) While the sleeper’s eyes and brain are 1) While the sleeper’s eyes and brain are active, the major muscles are virtually active, the major muscles are virtually paralyzed, thus the tag paralyzed, thus the tag REM paralysisREM paralysis

2) When aroused, people describe vivid 2) When aroused, people describe vivid dreams,dreams,

Rem iiRem ii

3) We all dream though some never recall 3) We all dream though some never recall them,them,

4) dreams are in 4) dreams are in real time real time andand in color,in color, 5) REM composes 20-25% of our sleep,5) REM composes 20-25% of our sleep, 6) time in REM lengthens as the night 6) time in REM lengthens as the night

goes on,goes on, 7) sleepers experience genital arousal, 7) sleepers experience genital arousal,

andand 8) we need less as we age. 8) we need less as we age.

Why rem?Why rem?

We are not sure, but if we take it away…We are not sure, but if we take it away…

a) It attempts to return relentlessly, and a) It attempts to return relentlessly, and

b) as soon as it does we see the b) as soon as it does we see the REM rebound,REM rebound,

c) but early claims of paranoia have proved c) but early claims of paranoia have proved exaggerated.exaggerated.

..

Rem and learningRem and learning

If we are denied REM we do not learn as If we are denied REM we do not learn as well or as quickly.well or as quickly.

If we have a rough day emotionally, we If we have a rough day emotionally, we need more REM sleep,need more REM sleep,

REM improves memory storage ( in concert REM improves memory storage ( in concert with the hippocampus?)with the hippocampus?)

REM facilitates forming neuronal REM facilitates forming neuronal connections. connections.

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

InsomniaInsomnia – the inability to – the inability to fall, stay or profitfall, stay or profit from sleepfrom sleep

tactics to preventtactics to prevent

1) stay away from bed if not tired1) stay away from bed if not tired

2) beds are for sleeping 2) beds are for sleeping

3) avoid alcohol, sleeping drugs3) avoid alcohol, sleeping drugs

4) stick to a regular schedule4) stick to a regular schedule

More Sleep TroubleMore Sleep Trouble

Sleep apnea Sleep apnea -- temporary halt in breathing temporary halt in breathing while sleepingwhile sleeping

can cause serious problemscan cause serious problems

Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy – falling into REM sleep during falling into REM sleep during the day without warningthe day without warning

don’t drive dreamingdon’t drive dreaming