IV. Altered States
Some states of consciousness don’t occur naturally and must be induced in some way. These include hypnotic states, meditative states, and drug-induced states. Hypnosis Hypnosis is a procedure that opens people to the power of suggestion. A hypnotist puts a subject in an altered state by encouraging relaxation and sleepiness and often describing the sorts of physical sensations a subject should be feeling. Once a subject is in the altered state, he or she may act, perceive, think, or feel according to the hypnotist’s suggestions. Not everyone can be hypnotized, and some people are more hypnotizable than others. The following chart shows what hypnosis can and can’t do. Hypnosis can: Hypnosis can’t: Cause people to be relaxed, Work effectively well for everyone have a narrowed focus of attention, and be highly engaged in fantasies. Produce anesthesia and treat a Force people to do things against their will range of psychological and medical problems. Cause hallucinations and Make people act in ways that would distortions in sensory perception normally be beyond their physical or mental abilities. Reduce inhibitions Reliably increase the accuracy of memories Cause changes in behavior after Allow people to actually re-experience the hypnosis has ended past events or lives If hypnotized people are instructed to forget what happened during hypnosis, they later claim to have no memory of it. This phenomenon is called posthypnotic amnesia. A hypnotic state isn’t sleep—brain waves, for example, do not reliably change during hypnosis as they do during sleep. Researchers don’t even agree that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Researchers propose two main theories about hypnosis:
Meditation is the practice of focusing attention. People meditate to enhance awareness and gain more control of physical and mental processes. Techniques used in meditation vary and include activities such as repetitive chanting and breathing exercises. Meditative states are associated with an increase in alpha and theta brain waves, and physical indicators of relaxation such as slowed pulse and breathing. Some researchers have found that meditation has long-term effects such as improving physical and mental health and reducing stress. However, researchers disagree about whether meditative states are unique states of consciousness. Some researchers believe relaxation techniques can produce the same kind of state produced by meditation. Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs, as opposed to medicinal drugs, have psychological effects, meaning that they change sensory experience, perception, mood, thinking, and behavior. Psychoactive drugs are sometimes called recreational drugs, though some have legitimate medical uses. Types of Psychoactive/Recreational Drugs Researchers usually classify recreational drugs into four types: stimulants, sedatives, narcotics, and hallucinogens.
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Drug Type
Stimulants Sedatives/Depressants Narcotics Hallucinogens Cannabis |
Examples
Nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, crystal meth Alcohol, Valium, Xanax, barbiturates Morphine, heroin, opium, hydrocodone LSD, mescaline, psilocybin Marijuana, hashish |
Effects
Increased alertness and energy, excitation, euphoria, confidence Euphoria, relaxation, less anxiety Euphoria, relation, less anxiety, less sensitivity to pain. Euphoria, changed perception, hallucinations, insightful moments Euphoria, relaxation, increased awareness, changed perception |
Negative Effects
Anxiety, restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, paranoia, increased aggressiveness, feelings of panic Impaired coordination, depression, lethargy, drowsiness, mood swings Lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, impaired coordination, constipation Nausea, paranoia, anxiety, feelings of panic, mood swings, impaired judgment, jumbled thoughts. Sluggishness, anxiety, impaired memory |
How Psychoactive Drugs Work
Psychoactive drugs work by affecting neurotransmitter function. A single drug can affect the function of more than one neurotransmitter. Drugs can:
Hallucinations Hallucinations are sensory or perceptual experiences that happen without any external stimulus. Hallucinogenic drugs fool the brain into perceiving sights, sounds, and tastes that aren’t actually present, and they may confuse a person’s sense of space and time. For example, a man who takes a hallucinogenic drug may hear voices in his head. Influences on Psychoactive Drug Effects A given drug doesn’t always have the same effect. If ten people drink beer one evening, they all may have different experiences. The effect of a drug depends on many different factors:
Chronic Use of Psychoactive Drugs When people regularly use a drug, they may develop a tolerance to it. As time goes on, people with a tolerance need more and more of the drug to get the same effect. When people stop using a drug after a long period of regular use, they often experience withdrawal symptoms. Different drugs produce different kinds of withdrawal symptoms. Not all drugs are addictive. With chronic use, people can get physically or psychologically dependent on a drug. Physical dependence happens when a person must take the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependence is when a person keeps taking the drug because of cravings. A drug can be both physically and psychologically addictive. Drug use can be dangerous for several reasons. Heavy or frequent use of drugs can damage body tissues and organs. Overdoses of some drugs, including sedatives, stimulants, and narcotics, can be lethal. Drugs can have dangerous indirect effects by causing people to behave in risky, accident-prone, or unhealthy ways. |