Altered States of Consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
Altered states of
consciousness
Marian M. Lagundino, MA
Instructor
Act on
senses of
a
conscious
being
Consciousness
Sleep, dreams,
hypnosis, psychoactive
drugs, paranormal
phenomena
Sleep
Suprachiasmatic nucleus:
controls the biological clock
of the person
Circadian rhythm: biological
clock
Can be
adjusted
Activation of the
suprachiasmatic nucleus
in the hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Back of brainstem
Secretion of melatonin
Melatonin increases
Sleepiness
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Sleep
12/11/2013
Sleep
Stages of Sleep
High level of
melatonin
High level of
serotonin
REM sleep
NREM sleep
Lower temperature
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/ldps/SleepingDisorders.htm
Stage 1
Initial stage
Light sleep
Theta waves
Stage 2
Deeper sleep
Body temp diminishes
Heart rate slows down
Sleep spindles in brain
waves
Stage 3
Sleep going deeper
Delta waves
Stage 4
Deepest level of sleep
Delta waves
Sleep disorders
Night terrors
Sleep disorders
Nightmares
Bad dreams
Occur during REM sleep
Common in children and
adults
Somnambulism
Sleep disorders
Sleepwalking
Repeated episodes of rising
from bed during sleep and
waking about
While sleepwalking, the
person has a blank, staring
face, relatively
unresponsive to the efforts
of others to communicate
and can be awakened only
with great difficulty, has
amnesia for the episode
12/11/2013
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders
Circadian rhythm sleep
disorder
http://usermeds.com/static/narcolepsy-4.jpg
Attributed to irrisistable
attacks of refreshing sleep
that occur daily over at
least three months
Sudden loss of muscle tone
associated with intense
emotion
Persistent or recurrent
pattern of sleep disruption
leading to excessive
sleepiness or insomnia due
to a mismatch between the
sleep-wake schedule
required by the
environment and the
person's circadian rhythm
Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders
Insomnia
Hypersomnia
Sleep apnea
Excessive sleepiness
Individual has prolonged
sleep episodes or daytime
sleep episodes almost daily
Dreams
Smith et al (2003): Dreaming is an altered state of
consciousness in which picture stories are constructed based
on memories and current concerns, or on fantasies and
images
Freud: dream is a form of wish fulfilment of impulses that are
not acceptable to the ego
Dreams
12/11/2013
Dreams
Dreams
Dreams
Cognitive Theory
Dreams are just like what
we are thinking in everyday
life
Hypnosis
Hypnosis
Hypnosis
An altered state of
consciousness during
which an individual is
placed under the control of
a hypnotist who influences
his behavior
People who are
suggestible, willing and
cooperative are easily
hypnotized
12/11/2013
Hypnosis
Hypnosis
Hypnotist tells the subject
that his eyes are becoming
heavier and he will feel
sleepy and close his eyes
This method will little by
little induce a relaxed state
on the subject as
suggested
Hypnotized state
Ability to plan ceases
Attention becomes more
selective than usual
Enriched fantasy is readily
evoked
Hypnosis
1. Relief from pain
2. Enhancement of memory
3. Improvement of selfconfidence
4. Relaxation
5. Psychotherapeutic value
Meditation
Meditation
Coon (2003): meditation is a mental exercise for producing
relaxation or heightened awareness
Concentrative meditation: subject is asked to concentrate
on a single stimulus
Receptive meditation: open and more encompassing