Stage 1 Sleep example essay topic

Consciousness is the awareness of the sensations, thoughts, and feelings being experienced at a given moment. Consciousness is divided into two broad states: waking and altered states of consciousness. In waking consciousness, we are awake and aware of our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. When we enter an altered state of consciousness, our mental state differs from waking consciousness. Sleeping and dreaming our natural altered states of consciousness. Unnatural ones include hypnosis, and ones caused by drug use.

Sleep occurs in four different stages of sleep. Stage 1 sleep is the state of transition between wakefulness and sleep, characterized by relatively rapid, low-voltage brain waves. Stage 2 sleep is a sleep deeper than that of stage 1, characterized by a slower, more regular wave pattern, along with momentary interruptions of "sleep spindles". Stage 3 sleep is a sleep characterized by slow brain waves, with greater peaks and valleys in the wave pattern.

Stage 4 sleep is the deepest stage of sleep, during which we are least responsive to outside stimulation. Several times a night, when sleepers are in stage 1 sleep, sleepers heart rate increases and becomes irregular, their blood pressure rises, their breathing rate increases, and males have erections. This is known as rapid eye movement sleep or REM sleep. There are several theories that try to explain why we dream.

There is the unconscious wish fulfillment theory, which is Sigmund Freud's theory that dreams represent unconscious wishes that dreamers wish to fulfill. According to Freud, the disguised or real meanings of dreams, hidden by more obvious subjects are known as latent content of dreams. The overt storyline of dreams is known as the manifest content of dreams. Today scientists don't really agree with Freud and his view. According to the dreams-for-survival theory, dreams permit information that is critical for our daily survival to be reconsidered and reprocessed during sleep. J. Allan Hobson proposed the activation-synthesis theory, which says the brain produces random electrical energy during REM sleep that stimulates memories lodged in various portions of the brain. Circadian rhythms are biological processes that occur repeatedly on approximately a twenty-four-hour cycle.

Sleep and wakefulness is an example of a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms explain the difficulty people have in flying through time zones, known as jet lag. The result can be fatigue, irritability, or just outright error. Hypnosis is an example of a state of altered consciousness.

People who are under hypnosis are in a trance like state of heightened susceptibility to the suggestions of others. Hypnosis has a lot of myths revolving around it. They will not become antisocial or self-destructive. They will not reveal hidden truths, and they can still lie under hypnosis. Hypnosis has been used to do many things such as controlling pain, reducing smoking, treating psychological disorders, assisting in law enforcement, and improving athletic performance. Another example of an altered state of consciousness is meditation.

Meditation is a learned technique for refocusing attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness. Following meditation, people report feeling thoroughly relaxed. They sometimes relate that they have gained new insights into themselves and the problems they are facing. Thousands of people die from complications of drug overdoses, and more are addicted to various kinds of drugs. Psychoactive drugs can take you to an altered state of consciousness. Even coffee and beer classify as a psychoactive drug.

The most dangerous drugs are addictive drugs. Addictive drugs produce a biological or psychological dependence in the user; withdrawal from them leads to a craving for the drug that in some cases can be nearly irresistible. Stimulants are drugs that affect the central nervous system by causing a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscular tension. Caffeine is an example of a stimulant.

Nicotine is another example of a stimulant. Cocaine and crack are seriously dangerous stimulants. They produce a "high" because of pleasurable sensations flooded into the brain. Cocaine is a very addictive drug that takes over addicts' lives.

Amphetamines are strong stimulants that give you energy and alertness and a mood "high". If an overdose of amphetamines occur the central nervous system is overstimulated and the body goes into convulsions and death can occur. Depressants are the opposite of stimulants. Instead of speeding up the central nervous system they slow it down, causing intoxication. Alcohol is the most common depressant.

Binge drinking, or drinking five or more drinks in one sitting, is becoming far too widespread. Alcoholics, people with alcohol abuse problems, rely on alcohol and drink no matter its serious consequences. Narcotics are drugs that increase relaxation and relieve pain and anxiety. The most powerful narcotics are morphine and heroin.

Narcotics give you a "rush" of positive feeling. After the rush you experience a sense of well-being and peacefulness that lasts three to five hours. The more times you take heroin the more you become addicted and the harder it is to quit. Hallucinogens are drugs that are capable of producing hallucinations, or changes in the mental process. The most common hallucinogen is marijuana. Marijuana effects typically consist of feelings of euphoria and general well-being.