States of Consciousness - Sleep
Sleep is:
ACTIVE
o
Special form of mental activity
RHYTHMIC
o
Occurs in repeating cycles
INTERNAL
o
A processing of internally generated stimuli
o
Sensory input & motor output is dampened
o
Tensor timpani (tightens ear drums)
NECESSARY
o
Decreased performance, death if deprived
Why do we sleep?
We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping
If an individual remains awake for several days, immune functions and
concentration deteriorates
+Memory consolidation, growth hormones released, remove toxic wastes
Without it we are fatigued, irritable, have decreases alertness, trouble
focusing & concentrating, have more accidents, immune system
depressed, gain weight, are at risk for depression, increase fat production,
increase inflammation of joints, have reduced muscle strength and slower
reaction time.
Accidents: frequency of accidents increase with loss of sleep
Sleep Deprivation
1. Impaired Concentration
2. Emotional irritability
3. Depressed Immune System
4. Gain weight
5. Fatigue and subsequent death
Sleep Theories
1. Sleep
restores and repairs
the brain and body
2. Sleep builds and
strengthens memories
3. Sleep
facilitates
creative
problem solving
4. Sleep is the time when
growth hormones
are active
5. During sleep, CSF flow increases through brain tissue
and washes out
metabolic waste
products
Sleep Stages
Measuring sleep: about every 90 minutes, we pass through a cycle
of five distinct sleep stages
1,2,3,4,3,2,3,4,3,2,3,2,REM
Stage 1
- Light sleep
o
(2 min) irregular EEG waves
o
Awakened easily; HR and breathing slows
o
Hypnagogic sensations (when you wake up feeling like you were
falling)
Stage 2
o
