ALTERED STATE
OF
CONSCIOUSNESS
Altered state of consciousness are
temporary change in mental
functioning characterized by shifts in
perception, thought, emotion and
behaviour
Consciousness refers to the state of
mind where the person is aware of his
Definition or her mental Operations. (motives,
desires, thoughts and feelings.
Thoughts may become fuzzy &
disorganized & people may become
less alert, or their thoughts may take
bizzare turns as they so often do in
dreams.
+ There are many pathways to
altered states of consciousness
using drugs, daydreaming,
being hypnotized or achieving
a meditative state.
+ But The most common Which
people experience on a nightly
basis i.e, SLEEP
Stages of sleep
+ Stage 1the lightest level Pulse
slows and muscles relax
Breathing becomes uneven
and brain waves are
irregularFeeling of “Just
drifting” Stage 2 Eyes roll
slowly from side to sideStage
3Large amplitude delta waves
sweep your brain every second
+ Stage 4
+ the deepest sleep of all Most difficult
time to wake someone up No memory
of Talking out loud sleepwalking
bedwetting Eyes begin to move
rapidlyREM (Rapid Eye Movement)Pulse
and breathing become irregularSome
minor twitching may occurLasts for 15-
45 minutesSleep retraces stages back to
1, and then goes through the stages to 4
again. This happens 5 times each night.
Sleep disorders
+ Insomnia: failure to get enough sleep at night
to feel rested the next day Sleep Apnea :a
person has trouble breathing while sleeping
may happen while snoring.
+ Narcolepsy :sudden falling asleep or feeling
sleepy during the day
+ Night Terrors: occurs during Stage 4, involves
screaming, panic confusion
+ Sleep walking: walking or carrying out
behaviors while asleep
Dreams
+ Dreams are a series of
thoughts, feelings, and visions
that occur during sleep. They
are a state of consciousness
characterized by sensory,
motor, cognitive, emotional,
and verbal experiences that
can form imaginary plots.
Hypnosis
+ It is a state of consciousness in which
the person is especially liable to be
influenced to a suggestion.There are
several key steps in inducing
hypnosis by Druckman (1994)The
hypnotist tells the person to focus on
what Is being said.The person is told
to relax & feel tired.The hypnotist
tells the person to let go & accept
suggestions easily.The person is told
to use vivid imagination.
Psychoactive drugs
+ Psychoactive drugs interact
with the central nervous system
to alter consciousness
+ Psychoactive Drugs - chemicals
that affect the nervous system
and result in altered
consciousness
+ Physical dependence: People
become physically dependent
where body craves for the drug.
+ Drug tolerance: As person
continues to use the drug, larger
& larger doses of he drug are
needed to achieve same initial
effects of the drug
+ Withdrawl: When deprived of
drugs it causes pain, high BP, &
crankiness.
Psychological
dependence
+ It is a feeling that a drug is needed to continue a
feeling of emotional or psychological well being.
+ Stimulants: Drugs that increase the functioning of
the nervous system.
+ types of stimulants are:
+ Amphetamines: stimulants that are made in
laboratories rather than being found in nature.
Causes vomiting & high bp.
+ Cocaine: natural drug derived from the leaves of
coca plant. Produces feeling of euphoria, energy &
power. Also suppresses the appetite.
+ Nicotine: it is active ingredient in totobacco. It has
a relaxing effect & reduces stress.
+ Caffeine: mild stimulant found in coffee & tea. It
helps maintain alertness, and is added to pain
relievers.
Alcohol abuse
+ This causes health risks to the
liver brain and heart alcohol is
associated with loss of work time
loss of a job and loss of economic
stability
+ women feel the effects sooner
than the men
+ Narcotics: these suppress the
sensation of pain & slow the
action of nervous system
Opium: it has pain relieving and pain inducing
properties.
Morphine: it is used to treat severe pain.
Heroine: it is harmful & extremely addictive
Hallucinogens: these cause false sensory messages,
altering the perception of reality.
Marijuana: (weed) it comes from the leaves and
flowers of the hemp plant. It has ability to produce
meaning of well being mild intoxication and mild
sensory hallucinations.(joint, tobacco)
