Lesson Plan 4

CompetencyIdentify body rhythms and sleep cycles. Discuss sleep disorders. Predict the effects of sleep deprivation. Contrast drug-altered consciousness and self-

induced altered consciousness (i.e., meditation and hypnosis).

Generalize the effects of psychoactive drugs. Differentiate between drug abuse and drug

dependence.

OverviewSleep varies throughout the night. In the paper and

on the news, stories about people altering their own consciousness through hypnosis, meditation, or drugs are common. Society seems to be fascinated with the desire to change their levels of consciousness.

Consciousness is the awareness of one’s environment and oneself. As most know, one’s level of awareness can range from being focused and attentive to being asleep and anywhere in between. Factors that may cause these changes in consciousness will be discussed throughout this learning plan.

Body RhythmsBody rhythms are biological rhythms- take

place in every living thingHumans- predictable changes in different

body systems~ i.e. sleep, temperature, hormone release, heart rate and blood pressure~ controlled by internal and external factors

Body RhythmsTYPE WHEN EXAMPLE

Circadian about once a day sleep/wake cycle

Ultradian more than once a day

stages of sleep

Infradian Once a month/season

women's menstrual cycle

Biological ClocksAll organisms have their own biological clocks. They

work in the absence of environmental cues.Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)~ primary biological

clock found in the hypothalamus of humansSCN- controlled by light- dictates individual circadian

rhythmsSCN triggers the release of melatonin when dark &

melatonin causes sleepinessSCN triggers the discontinuation of melatonin when

is senses daylight- causes the person to wake up

How Body Rhythms Affect MoodsSAD~ Seasonal Affective Disorder

Possible result of reduced sunlight exposure which can change a person’s circadian rhythms

Related to length of daylight hoursDepressed mood during winter season- mood

lightens as days get longer and there is more sunlight

PMS- Premenstrual SyndromeRecent research shows a connection between

body rhythms and emotion fluctuations. Researchers will not say that fluctuations in

emotion are related to psychological disorders

Sleep StagesNot an uninterrupted resting state.Stages divided into 2 main categories~ non-rapid eye

movement (non-REM) and rapid eye movement (REM)4 Stages of Non-REM

1st you relax and experience alpha waves- not yet asleep

Stage 1- light sleep- theta waves- slower than alpha and greater in amplitude (high peaks)- slow breathing

Stage 2- light sleep- sleep spindles- short bursts of rapid, high peaking waves- peak suddenly, go downward quickly and then go back up again

Stage 3- breathing slows even more- delta waves- very slow waves with very high peaks

Stage 4- delta waves- not much difference from stage 3- stage 3 composed of less than 50 percent delta waves and stage 4 more than 50 percent delta waves. Very hard to wake someone in stage 4.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020lP2q9LvV8AptGjzbkF/SIG=12knte0p9/EXP=1269902287/**http%3A//1001cures.biz/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/brain_waves2.jpg

Sleep StagesREM sleep is deeper than non-REM sleep.

The eyes are, of course, closed, but they can be seen darting back and forth beneath the eyelids.

Muscles become limp and breathing becomes irregular.

Most dreams occur in REM sleepMost people report vivid, story-like dreamsDreams are not often reported in other stagesOn average, a person progress through stages 1-

4 and back up to stage 2 before REM begins. Happens 60-90 min after falling asleep.

Cycle repeated 3-4 times/night

Dream AnalysisDreams have been thought to reveal the future, tell

about the past, and help solve issuesFreud- 1st to develop a comprehensive theory of

dream analysisFreud believed that dreams were the keys to

unlocking secrets of the unconscious mindOne way the unconscious mind vents through dreamsDreams are made up of mostly wish fulfillment, sex

aggression, and childhood memories- according to Freud

Manifest content (actual story of dream); Latent content (true meaning)

Dream Interpretation TheoriesPsychoanalytical TheoryProblem-Solving TheoryMental Housekeeping TheoryActivation Synthesis Theory

Dream ContentFemales tend to dream more about people they

know, indoor settings, friendlier interactions, and enclosed bodies of water such as pools or lakes. They tend to have longer dreams.

Men tend to have more aggression or conflict, outdoor settings, cars, men, weapons, and sexual encounters in their dreams.

Children report having more animals and aggression in their dreams.

Only difference between those with a psychological disorder and those without one are few friends and friendly interactions in their dreams.

Sleep DisordersSleep apnea- repeatedly stopping breathing for brief

periods in the night- potentially life-threateningNarcolepsy- excessive daytime sleepiness and periods

of sudden lapses into sleep throughout the day. Insomnia- difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or

waking very early and not being able to go back to sleep

Night Terrors- occur in Stage 4- person will scream, cry or bolt from bed. Eyes may be open, but is not awake.

Sleep Walking- person wanders around or engages in activities while still asleep. Not psychologically damaging.

Nightmares- occur in REM sleepSleep Deprivation- lack of needed sleep. Can cause

irritability, memory lapses, slower reaction time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW31IanJiAM

Psychoactive DrugsCan influence perception, mood, behavior

and/or cognitionClassified as stimulants, depressants, opiates,

or hallucinogens based on their affect of the central nervous system/impact on mood/behavior

Stimulants accelerate nervous system functioning, depressants slow nervous system functioning, opiates are considered pain relievers, and hallucinogens alter perception.

Tolerance, abuse, withdrawal, dependence, and addiction

Alcoholics Anonymous

Self-Induced Alterations of ConsciousnessAll cultures alter consciousness in some wayMaulavis of Turkey spin in a controlled yet

excited way for the purpose of achieving religious rapture.

Sioux Indians in South Dakota sit naked in the dark and almost unbearable heat in a sweat lodge to achieve euphoria and connect with the Great Spirit of the Universe.

In Jerusalem, Hasidic men dance for hours in the streets to achieve religious ecstasy after reading the holy Torah.

Some cultures even use psychoactive drugs for artistic and religious inspiration.

HypnosisHypnosis is a procedure in which a practitioner

suggests changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings or behavior, and the subject follows the suggestions.

It has been used successfully to reduce pain, rid people of unwanted habits and reduce anxiety and stress. Hypnosis is a state of highly focused attention (absorption) and reduced peripheral awareness (dissociation).

It is a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility and relaxation. It is not really like sleep because the subject is conscious the entire time.

Explained by dissociation theory and sociocognitive theory

MeditationMeditation is considered to be an altered

state of consciousness where focused attention is used to help one relax, relieve stress and experience a peaceful state.

Meditation reportedly has the ability to reduce chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure and stress hormones.

http://www.how-to-meditate.org/

HomeworkMy Brain Assignment- 40 points due

January 31

Readings: Lesson Plans 5, 6, and supplemental readings

Assignments: Discussion choose either 5.1 or 6.1