States of Mind Terms

Question 1

frequency

Answer 1

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

Question 2

wave

Answer 2

a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another

Question 3

consciousness

Answer 3

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 4

gamma

Answer 4

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

Question 5

beta

Answer 5

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

Question 6

alpha

Answer 6

associated with physical and mental relaxation and with light/N1 and REM sleep (8-13 Hz)

Question 7

theta

Answer 7

associated with creativity, insight, deep states, deep meditation, reduced consciousness, N2 sleep; can be enhanced by repetitive activities like running (4-8 Hz)

Question 8

delta

Answer 8

deep sleep; loss of bodily awareness; repair

Question 9

electroencephalograph

Answer 9

EEG, measures the brain’s electrical activity

Question 10

sleep hypnogram

Answer 10

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

Question 11

sleep cycle

Answer 11

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

Question 12

circadian rhythm

Answer 12

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

Question 13

REM

Answer 13

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’re not moving

Question 14

non-REM 1

Answer 14

light sleep; characterized by alpha & theta waves

Question 15

non-REM 2

Answer 15

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

Question 16

non-REM 3

Answer 16

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

Question 17

neurotransmitter

Answer 17

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

Question 18

endocrine system

Answer 18

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

Question 19

pituitary gland

Answer 19

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Question 20

hypothalamus

Answer 20

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 21

adrenal glands

Answer 21

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 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

anandamide

Answer 23

The Bliss Molecule; also known as an endocannabinoid; increases naturally with prolonged aerobic exercise and increased Omega 3 in diet; neurotransmitter

Question 24

dopamine

Answer 24

The Reward Molecule; increases naturally by setting goals and achieving them; neurotransmitter

Question 25

oxytocin vasopressin

Answer 25

The Bonding Molecules; hormones that increase bonding with others; increases naturally with hugs or petting animals

Question 26

endorphin

Answer 26

The Pain-Killing Molecule; hormone & 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 27

GABA

Answer 27

The Anti-Anxiety Molecule; slows down the firing of neurons and creates a sense of calmness; increases naturally with yoga and meditation; neurotransmitter

Question 28

serotonin

Answer 28

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 29

adrenaline

Answer 29

The Energy Molecule; also called epinephrine; released from adrenal glands, making it a hormone, but a small amount is produced in neurons of the medulla oblongata, making it also a neurotransmitter; plays 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 30

amygdala

Answer 30

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 31

Hertz

Answer 31

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

Question 32

sleep strategies

Answer 32

exercise (but not right before bed); avoid caffeine in the afternoon/evening; avoid eating close to your bedtime; avoid blue light emitting devices (backlit black & white reading devices are o.k.)

Question 33

brain wave

Answer 33

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

Question 34

love molecules

Answer 34

dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline/epinephrine

Question 35

depressants

Answer 35

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions (e.g. alcohol)

Question 36

stimulants

Answer 36

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions (e.g. caffeine)

Question 37

resistance

Answer 37

increased by using the strategy of distraction