States of Mind (Sleep & Happiness Molecules)

Question 1

consciousness

Answer 1

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 2

gamma

Answer 2

continuous in nearly all brain states; denote heightened cognitive processing related to perception, learning, and problem solving (32-100 Hz)

Question 3

beta

Answer 3

awake, alert consciousness, thinking analytically (13-32 Hz)

Question 4

adrenal glands

Answer 4

a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress

Question 5

anandamide

Answer 5

the bliss molecule, also known as an endocannabinoid, increases naturally with prolonged aerobic exercise and increased Omega 3 in diet; neurotransmitter

Question 6

dopamine

Answer 6

the reward molecule; increases naturally by setting goals and achieving them; neurotransmitter

Question 7

alpha

Answer 7

associated with physical and mental relaxation and with light/N1 and REM sleep

Question 8

theta

Answer 8

associated with creativity, insight, deep states, deep meditation, reduced consciousness, and N2 sleep; can be enhanced by repetitive activities like running

Question 9

delta

Answer 9

deep sleep; loss of bodily awareness; repair

Question 10

electroencephalograph

Answer 10

EEG, measures the brain’s electrical activity

Question 11

sleep hypnograph

Answer 11

graph that represents the stages of sleep as a function of time

Question 12

sleep cycle

Answer 12

typically 90 minutes long; 4-5 cycles per night; identified by brain-wave patterns and behavioral changes

Question 13

circadian rhythm

Answer 13

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms that occur on a 24-hour cycle

Question 14

REM

Answer 14

paradoxical sleep because it is associated with alpha waves typical of wakefulness; vivid dreams; motor cortex is very active but the brain stem is blocking messages so you aren’t moving

Question 15

Non-REM 1

Answer 15

light sleep; characterized by alpha and theta waves

Question 16

Non-REM 2

Answer 16

characterized by theta waves; includes sleep spindles and k-complexes which indicate brief bursts of activity

Question 17

Non-REM 3

Answer 17

characterized by slow-rolling delta waves; deep sleep; brain is unresponsive to external stimuli, more difficult to awaken individual

Question 18

neurotransmitter

Answer 18

chemical messenger released from an axon terminal of a neuron in response to an action potential; it crosses the gap to the receptors on dendrites of adjacent neurons (axon gives and dendrite receives!)

Question 19

endocrine system

Answer 19

set of glands that secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells

Question 20

pituitary gland

Answer 20

the endocrine system’s most influential gland. under the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

Question 21

hypothalamus

Answer 21

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion; produces oxytocin

Question 22

hormone

Answer 22

chemical messengers released directly into the blood by the endocrine system; in particular, neurochemicals are released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Question 23

oxytocin and vasopressin

Answer 23

the bonding molecules; hormones that increase bonding with others; increases naturally with hugs or petting animals

Question 24

endorphin

Answer 24

the pain-killing molecule, hormone AND neurotransmitter;
produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus; increase naturally through strenuous exercise, eating chocolate, smiling and laughing, meditating, singing, and listening to music

Question 25

GABA

Answer 25

the anti-anxiety molecule; slows down the firing of neurons and creates a sense of calmness; increases naturally with yoga and mediation, neurotransmitter

Question 26

serotonin

Answer 26

the confidence molecule; makes you less sensitive to rejection; bolsters self-esteem; to increase, aerobic exercise, bright light, eat high-protein foods with tryptophan (turkey, salmon) with healthy carbs; produced in intestines and brain, so hormone and neurotransmitter

Question 27

Adrenaline

Answer 27

the energy molecule, also called epinephrine; released from adrenal glands, so it’s a hormone, but some of it is produced in neurons of the medulla oblongata, making it also a neurotransmitter; plays a role in fight-or-flight mechanism; creates exhilaration and a surge of energy and alertness, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure; used in Epi-Pens to treat acute allergic reactions; increase naturally through a high intensity workout

Question 28

amygdala

Answer 28

source of raw emotions; located in the limbic system; hyper-stimulated by love; also associated with fight-or-flight responses to stimuli, memory, making decisions, and processing emotions and perceiving the emotions of others

Question 29

Hertz

Answer 29

the unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second; abbrev.: Hz

Question 30

wave

Answer 30

a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another

Question 31

brainwave

Answer 31

a pattern of electrical current in the brain caused by neurons communicating, visually represented as a wave

Question 32

frequency

Answer 32

the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time.