An altered state of consciousness occurs when some aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral, or chemical means.

Other Forms of Consciousness

Hypnos: Greek God of sleep.

Hypnosis is not being asleep

A state of awareness characterized by deep relaxation, heightened suggestibility and focused attention.

Hypnosis

Power lies with person being hypnotized.

Susceptibility: experts measure it by a person’s responsiveness to standard suggestions. (“your right hand is lighter than air”)

Hypnotizabilty

Theories:

1. distinct state of consciousness.

2. a social process: role playing to please hypnotist.

3. simply heightened motivation•Focus attention channels more energy into suggested activities.•They are hypnotized because they want or expect to be.

An Altered state?

Ernest Hilgard proposed hypnosis is a disassociated state involving a hidden observer in the person’s mind operating in parallel with normal consciousness.

“Hidden Observer”

•Powerful tool for researchers.

•Desensitizing Phobic patients

•Relaxation program to combat stress

•Eliminating unwanted behaviors (smoking)or diminish a person’s craving.

•Managing pain to avoid anesthesia

Uses for Hypnosis

•Lamaze for natural child birth.

•Not for everyone!

•How? No one understands for sure but we know that endorphins are not involved when hypnotized and it may have something to do with the gate control theory on pain.

Control pain?

Focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions and minimizing external stimulations.

Increase self knowledge and well being and to find a form of spiritual enlightenment

Meditation

Slow changes in brain wave patterns

Produces frontal lobe changes associated with positive emotions.(Davidson et al., 2003)

Positive benefits in blood pressure, stress hormones.(Seeman et al., 2003)

Cannot scientifically be measured if a new sense of understanding has been reached.

Effects of Meditation

Psychoactive Drugs: All stimulate the brain’s “rewards circuits”.

Cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines all trick the brain by making the brain think these substances our good for us.

4 categories: hallucinogens, opiates, depressants and stimulants.

Drugs

Alter perceptions, blur the boundary between self and external world.

Act in the brain at specific receptor sites for serotonin

Mescaline, psilocybin, PCP LSD, etc

PCP: produces a dissociative reaction in which user feels disembodied or removed from parts of their body.

Hallucinogens

LSD

THC-causes the release of dopamine in the brain.

Some research shows that the brain produces its own THC like chemicals so cannabis exploits the natural chemistry in the brain.

Interferes with cognition (learning, thinking, memory etc.)

Low psychological dependence

Cannabis

Morphine, heroin, codeine

Highly addictive drug that suppresses physical sensation and response to stimulation

However no changes in cognitive abilities.

For reasons unknown, opiates are less addictive for patients who use for medical reasons. May affect different parts of the brain instead of reward centers.

Methadone-synthetic drug that can be ingested orally.

useful in helping heroine addicts

Opiates

Slow down the mental and physical activity of the body by inhibiting the CNS.

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.

In minor doses can relieve anxiety or pain.

But overuse impairs reflexes and judgment.

Depressants

Used in sleeping pills

Dangerous because it reduces REM sleep time and then causes REM rebound

Overdose can cause loss of consciousness, coma or death.

Barbituates

Safer, referred to as minor tranquilizers

Commonly used to treat anxiety

Valium and Xanax

Almost never taken as recreational because if you don’t have anxiety problems the effects are not so pleasurable.

Benzodiazepines

Loosening of inhibitions…alcohol depresses activity in the brain circuits that normally control self monitoring of our thoughts and behaviors.

Impairs coordination and mental processing (deficits in thinking, memory and judgment).

5-10% use alcohol in an unsafe way.

Alcohol

Speed up the CNS resulting in a boost in mental and physical activity levels.

Cocaine-most powerful “reward” thus highly addictive.

Effects are intense pleasurable sensations, increased self confidence, greater energy and alertness.

Stimulants

Tolerance: you need larger and larger doses to get the same effect as the first time.

Physical dependence: process by which the body adjust and comes to need the substance for everyday functioning.

-less sensitive natural reinforcers such as love and friendship

Withdrawal: perspiring, nausea, trembling and death

Psychological dependence: a desire to use the drug even when there is no physical dependence.

Disease or a weakness of character?

It can effect a person’s treatment especially when we focus on the biological and medical treatment while ignoring the social aspect.

Vietnam veterans –had a higher success rate in beating their addiction than people who became addicted on the street.

Treating addiction

Alters the functioning of your brain

Temporarily changes your consciousness

Mimics the neurotransmitters, enhance or dampen their effects at the synapses.

Conclusion