States Of Consciousness Vocabulary

Front 1

Activation Synthesis Hypothesis

Back 1

The theory that dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from the brain stem. Dreams, then, are the brain's attempt to make sense of - to synthesize - this random activity.

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Alpha Waves

Back 2

The relatively slow brain waves of a relaxed, awake state.

Front 3

Amphetamines

Back 3

Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Front 4

Barbiturates

Back 4

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment.

Front 5

Biofeedback

Back 5

The technique of using monitoring devices to furnish information regarding an autonomic bodily function, such as heart rate or blood pressure, in an attempt to gain some voluntary control over that function.

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Biological Rhythms

Back 6

Periodic physiological fluctuations.

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Cataplexy

Back 7

Sudden loss of muscle control.

Front 8

Circadian Rhythm

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The biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.

Front 9

Consciousness

Back 9

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Front 10

Delta Waves

Back 10

The large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

Front 11

Depressants

Back 11

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Front 12

Dissociation

Back 12

A split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

Front 13

Dream

Back 13

A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind. They are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer's delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it.

Front 14

Dualism

Back 14

The presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact.

Front 15

Ecstasy

Back 15

MDMA - A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

Front 16

Hallucinations

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False sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the absence of an external visual stimulus.

Front 17

Hallucinogens

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Psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Front 18

Hidden Observer

Back 18

Hilgard's term describing a hypnotized subject's awareness of experiences, such as pain, that go unreported during hypnosis.

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Hypnosis

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A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

Front 20

Insomnia

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Recurring problems in falling or staying asleep.

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Latent Content

Back 21

According to Freud, the underlying meaning of a dream.

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LSD

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A powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide).

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Manifest Content

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According to Freud, the remembered story line of a dream.

Front 24

Meditation

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A state of consciousness often induced by focusing on a repetitive behavior, assuming certain body positions, and minimizing external stimulation. May be intended to enhance self-knowledge, well-being, and spirituality.

Front 25

Monism

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The presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing.

Front 26

Narcolepsy

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A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

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Near-Death Experience

Back 27

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as through cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

Front 28

Night Terrors

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A sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and an appearance of being terrified; unlike nightmares, they occur during Stage 4 sleep, within 2 or 3 hours of falling asleep, and are seldom remembered.

Front 29

Opiate

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Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

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Physical Dependence

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A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued.

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Posthypnotic Amnesia

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Supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis; induced by the hypnotist's suggestion.

Front 32

Posthypnotic Suggestion

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A suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some clinicians to help control undesired symptoms and behaviors.

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Psychoactive Drugs

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A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood.

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Psychological Dependence

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A psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions.

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REM Rebound

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The tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation (created by repeated awakenings during REM sleep).

Front 36

REM Sleep

Back 36

Rapid eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly occur. Also know as paradoxical sleep, because the muscles are relaxed (except for minor twitches) but other body systems are active.

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Sleep

Back 37

Periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness - as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation. (Adapted from Dement, 1999.)

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Sleep Apnea

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A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings.

Front 39

Stimulants

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Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines and cocaine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Front 40

THC

Back 40

The major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations.

Front 41

Tolerance

Back 41

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect.

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Withdrawal

Back 42

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug.