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Chapter 4: Consciousness and Drug Abuse (Alterations in consciousness…
Chapter 4: Consciousness and Drug Abuse
What is consciousness?
Consciousness: one's subjective experience of the world, our bodies, and our mental perspectives resulting from brain activity
Sleep paralysis: state of being unable to move just after falling asleep or right before waking up
Alterations in consciousness
sleep
hallucinations
realistic perceptual experiences in the absence of external stimuli
out of body experiences
sense of our consciousness leaving our body (KETAMINE CAN CAUSE THIS)
near-death experience
experience reported by people who have nearly died or thought they were going to die
deja vu
jamais vu: never seen (someone doesn't recognize ordinary/familiar things)
mystical experience
feelings of unity or openness with the world, often with spiritual overtones
hypnosis
set of techniques that provides people with suggestions for alterations in perceptions, sensations, thoughts, feelings, memories, behaviors
only works if person WILLINGLY goes along with hypnotist's suggestions
sociocognitive theory of hypnosis: hypnotized people behave as they expect hypnotized people to behave
neodissociation theory of hypnosis: conscious awareness is separated from other aspects of consciousness
hypnotic analgesia: hypnosis changes patient's INTERPRETATION of pain, rather than diminish it
Psychoactive drugs
psychoactive drug: contains chemicals similar to those found naturally in our brains that alter consciousness by changing chemical processes in neurons
types
Depressants: depress behavioral/mental activity
sedative: calming effect
hypnotic: sleep-inducing effect
ex. alcohol, barbiturates, non barbiturates, benzodiazepines
anti-anxiety
Stimulants: increase behavioral/mental activity in CNS (heart rate, respiration, blood pressure)
interfere with normal dopamine reuptake (dopamine stays in synapse longer) OR increase dopamine release
activation of dopamine receptors
increased dopamine --> greater reward (increased liking)
increased dopamine --> greater desire to take drug even if the drug doesn't produce pleasure
improve mood, make people restless, disrupt sleep
mild stimulants: nicotine, caffeine
strong stimulants: cocaine, amphetamines
Narcotics (opioids): relieves pain, induces sleep
bind with endorphin receptors and relieves pain
intense feelings of pleasure, relaxation, euphoria
ex. oxycontin
Psychedelics (hallucinogenic): cause dramatic alterations of perception, mood, thought
ex. LSD
Mixed drugs
Marijuana (has effects of stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens)
decreases reaction times, impairs motor coordination, impairs memory formation, impairs recall of new information
frequent marijuana users may get high with a lower dose than infrequent users since THC can stay in the body for up to a month
Impairs memory because of activation of cannabinoid receptors on hippocampus
long-term use leads to smaller hippocampus and amygdala
THC produces a relaxed metal stated, happy mood, perceptual and cognitive distortions, might impair perception in some users or make perceptions more vivid for other users
MDMA: stimulant with slight hallucinations
less dopamine activity, more serotonin activity
memory problems, inability to perform complex tasks
treatment for PTSD because it promotes feelings of compassion/trust, reduces negative emotions
help with social anxiety in autistic patients
Substance Use
substance use was highest in 2001 for ages 19-22, men are more likely to abuse/depend on drugs
Substance use disorders
tolerance: REDUCTION IN EFFECT of drug because of repeated use, requires users to consume greater quantities to achieve same effect
withdrawal: unpleasant effects of reducing/stopping drug use
physical dependence: dependence on a drug that occurs when people continue to take it to AVOID WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Psychological dependence: NON-PHYSIOLOGICAL dependence on a drug that occurs when continued drug use is because of INTENSE CRAVINGS
abuse and dependence
Explanations for substance use
sociocultural influences
"Addictive personalities"
impulsivity/risk-taking
novelty-seeking
Sociability
negative emotionality
learning and expectancies: "belief" about stress-relieve from alcohol
Genetic influences (there is no single "addiction" gene)
people inherit a cluster of characteristics
sensation-seeking personality
reduced concern about personal harm
nervous system CHRONICALLY low in arousal
predisposition to finding chemical substances pleasurable
Poor relationships with parents/mimic role models who are addicts
Vocabulary
change blindness
failure to notice large changes to one's environment
subliminal perception
processing of information by sensory systems without conscious awareness
meditation
focuses attention on an external object or on a sense of awareness
concentrative meditation: focus attention on one thing
mindfulness meditation: thoughts flow freely without you trying to react to them
People can lose themselves in activiities
flow: an experience so engrossing and enjoyable that you lose track of time
religious ecstasy: religious ceremonies decrease awareness of external world and create euphoric feelings
escapist activities: allows us to avoid our problems and not engage with life