Consciousness Flashcards
consciousness brain parts
thalamus + reticular formation
consciousness
results from activity changes in the brain networks
DMN
default mode network
- maintains high lvl of unconscious bg activity & helps prepare for conscious thought
biological clock
internal mechanism that gives approx. schedule for lots of physical processes
circadian rhythm
controlled by hypothalamus and gives schedule for physical processes
EEG recordings
electroencephalogram recordings provide measure of overall brain activity
beta wave
alert waking
alpha wave
relaxed waking
gamma wave
attention to sensory input
daydreaming (part of DMN)
spontaneous, subjective experiences in a no-task, no-stimulus, no-response situation
N-REM
deep physical relaxation
1. when we go to sleep (denial that we are asleep)
2. reduction of HR and muscle tension (sleep through familiar stimuli but wake to unexpected stimuli)
3. deep sleep
REM
rapid eye movement
- waking w/ rapid motions of eyes, muscular paralysis and activated sympathetic nervous system
- between 90 and 120 mins after sleep
- HR, BP and breathing speed up and muscles twitch
sleep walking
- occurs in stages 3-4 of NREM sleep
sleep talking
occurs in stages 1-2 of NREM sleep
dreaming
lack of self-awareness
lucid dreaming
can control content of dream
- increased activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
nightmares
when content of REM dream is upsetting
night terrors
unsmooth transition from stage 4 N-REM sleep - stressed in deep sleep
- occurs within first 3 hrs of sleep
insomnia
- most common after nightmares
- medication: Zolpidem
onset insomnia
person lies in bed for long but can’t sleep
maintenance insomnia
person is frequently interrupted or early waking occurs - usually coz of stress
narcolepsy
sleep attacks where REM sleep occurs during wakefulness
cataplexy
muscle paralysis occurs during wakefulness when conscious
- can end by touching person
sleep apnea
breathing can stop for a minute or two and person usually wakes up gasping for iar
SIDS
sudden infant death syndrome
- when healthy infant dies when asleep
- first 6 months of life
RLS
restless leg syndrome
- involuntary movement of an extremity
coma
abnormal state of deep unconsciousness
- no sleep-wake cycle
- when both cerebral hemispheres or reticular formation are damaged
- lasts 2-4 weeks
VS
vegetative state
- wakefulness w/o consciousness
- eyes open periodically, teeth grind, scream, smile, cry, respond to pain
brain death
lack of measurable brain activity
- no response to external stimuli
near-death experiences
altered state of consciousness - reports by people close to death
- “out of body” experience
don’t wanna go back to body
seizures
uncontrolled electrical disturbances in brain -> changes in consciousness
epilepsy
recurring seizures
partial seizures
originate in focal area - temporal lobe
aura: premonition that seizure gon happen
generalized seizures
abnormal activation of circuits connecting cortex and thalamus
tonic-clonic seizure
loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, intense muscular contraction, violent rhythmic contractions, short period of coma
absence seizure
loss of consciousness, awareness of surroundings, can only turn head or do eye movement
psychoactive drugs
can alter state of consciousness
hallucinogen
stimulates experience of false perceptions
stimulant
any drug that increases activity of nervous system
tolerance
when its built against regular amounts, more drugs gotta be taken
withdrawal
response to removal of habitually administered drugs
addiction
dependence on substance/activity
addiction - decision making
- reflective system in frontal lobes that weighs pros and cons of decision and control impulsive can be damaged
marijuana (cannabis)
excitation, vivid imagery, mild euphoria, hallucinogen
caffeine
- excitation and alertness
- withdrawal symptoms: fatigue + headaches
LSD
serotonin
- vivid and colourful visual hallucinations + intrusive and involuntary hallucinations + flashbacks
nicotine
acetylcholine
- smoked/chewed tobacco
- increased HR and BP, less tired, improve cognitive performances, relaxed muscle
cocaine and amphetamines
dopamine
- alertness, elevated mood, confidence, sense of well-being
- hallucinations, delusional feats that others are gonna kill them, repetitive motor behaviors
methylphenidate (ritalin)
dopamine + norepinephrine
- alert and concentrate, affect sleep and appetite
MDMA (ecstasy)
serotonin + oxytocin
- increased HR, BP and temperature
- dehydration, exhaustion, hyperthermia, convulsions, death
alcohol
GABA, dopamine
- low doses: dilated blood vessels (flushed), low anxiety
- high doses: aggression, risky behaviors, poor motor coordination
- insane doses: maybe coma, death from suppression of breathing or aspiration of vomit
opioids
endogenous endorphins
- low doses: euphoria, pain relief, reduced anxiety, relaxed muscle, sleep
- high doses: strong euphoria and depression, can lead to death
hypnosis
altered state of consciousness + relaxation + increased suggestibility
meditation
alteration of consciousness - positive emotion and lack of thoughts
