Key Terms
alpha wave
type of rbrain wave characteristic during the early part of NREM stage 1 sleep, which has
fairly low amplitude and a frequency of 8–12 Hz
beta wave
type of brain wave characteristic during wakefulness, which has a very low amplitude and
a frequency of 13–30 Hz
biological rhythm
internal cycle of biological activity
cataplexy
lack of muscle tone or muscle weakness, and in some cases complete paralysis of the
voluntary muscles
central sleep apnea
sleep disorder with periods of interrupted breathing due to a disruption in signals sent
from the brain that regulate breathing
circadian rhythm
biological rhythm that occurs over approximately 24 hours
codeine
opiate with relatively low potency often prescribed for minor pain
cognitive-behavioral therapy
psychotherapy that focuses on cognitive processes and problem behaviors that is
sometimes used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia
collective unconscious
theoretical repository of information shared by all people across cultures, as described by
Carl Jung
consciousness
awareness of internal and external stimuli
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
device used to treat sleep apnea; includes a mask that fits over the sleeper’s nose and
mouth, which is connected to a pump that pumps air into the person’s airways, forcing
them to remain open
delta wave
type of brain wave characteristic during stage 3 NREM sleep, which has a high amplitude
and low frequency of less than 3 Hz
depressant
drug that tends to suppress central nervous system activity
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euphoric high
feelings of intense elation and pleasure from drug use
evolutionary psychology
discipline that studies how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have
evolved over time as a result of natural selection
hallucinogen
one of a class of drugs that results in profound alterations in sensory and perceptual
experiences, often with vivid hallucinations
homeostasis
tendency to maintain a balance, or optimal level, within a biological system
hypnosis
state of extreme self-focus and attention in which minimal attention is given to external
stimuli
insomnia
consistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week over a
month’s time
jet lag
collection of symptoms brought on by travel from one time zone to another that results
from the mismatch between our internal circadian cycles and our environment
K-complex
very high amplitude pattern of brain activity associated with stage 2 sleep that may occur
in response to environmental stimuli
latent content
hidden meaning of a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of dreams
lucid dream
people become aware that they are dreaming and can control the dream’s content
manifest content
storyline of events that occur during a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of
dreams
meditation
clearing the mind in order to achieve a state of relaxed awareness and focus
melatonin
hormone secreted by the endocrine gland that serves as an important regulator of the
sleep-wake cycle
meta-analysis
study that combines the results of several related studies
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methadone
synthetic opioid that is less euphorigenic than heroin and similar drugs; used to manage
withdrawal symptoms in opiate users
methadone clinic
uses methadone to treat withdrawal symptoms in opiate users
methamphetamine
type of amphetamine that can be made from pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter drug;
widely manufactured and abused
narcolepsy
sleep disorder in which the sufferer cannot resist falling to sleep at inopportune times
night terror
sleep disorder in which the sleeper experiences a sense of panic and may scream or
attempt to escape from the immediate environment
non-REM (NREM)
period of sleep outside periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
obstructive sleep apnea
sleep disorder defined by episodes when breathing stops during sleep as a result of
blockage of the airway
opiate/opioid
one of a category of drugs that has strong analgesic properties; opiates are produced from
the resin of the opium poppy; includes heroin, morphine, methadone, and codeine
parasomnia
one of a group of sleep disorders characterized by unwanted, disruptive motor activity
and/or experiences during sleep
physical dependence
changes in normal bodily functions that cause a drug user to experience withdrawal
symptoms upon cessation of use
pineal gland
endocrine structure located inside the brain that releases melatonin
psychological dependence
emotional, rather than a physical, need for a drug which may be used to relieve
psychological distress
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
period of sleep characterized by brain waves very similar to those during wakefulness and
by darting movements of the eyes under closed eyelids
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REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
sleep disorder in which the muscle paralysis associated with the REM sleep phase does not
occur; sleepers have high levels of physical activity during REM sleep, especially during
disturbing dreams
restless leg syndrome
sleep disorder in which the sufferer has uncomfortable sensations in the legs when trying
to fall asleep that are relieved by moving the legs
rotating shift work
work schedule that changes from early to late on a daily or weekly basis
sleep
state marked by relatively low levels of physical activity and reduced sensory awareness
that is distinct from periods of rest that occur during wakefulness
sleep apnea
sleep disorder defined by episodes during which breathing stops during sleep
sleep debt
result of insufficient sleep on a chronic basis
sleep rebound
sleep-deprived individuals will experience shorter sleep latencies during subsequent
opportunities for sleep
sleep regulation
brain’s control of switching between sleep and wakefulness as well as coordinating this
cycle with the outside world
sleep spindle
rapid burst of high frequency brain waves during stage 2 sleep that may be important for
learning and memory
sleepwalking
(also, somnambulism) sleep disorder in which the sleeper engages in relatively complex
behaviors
stage 1 sleep
first stage of sleep; transitional phase that occurs between wakefulness and sleep; the
period during which a person drifts off to sleep
stage 2 sleep
second stage of sleep; the body goes into deep relaxation; characterized by the appearance
of sleep spindles
stage 3 sleep
third stage of sleep; deep sleep characterized by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves
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stimulant
drug that tends to increase overall levels of neural activity; includes caffeine, nicotine,
amphetamines, and cocaine
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
infant (one year old or younger) with no apparent medical condition suddenly dies during
sleep
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
area of the hypothalamus in which the body’s biological clock is located
theta wave
type of brain wave characteristic of the end of stage 1 NREM sleep, which has a moderately
low amplitude and a frequency of 4–7 Hz
tolerance
state of requiring increasing quantities of the drug to gain the desired effect
wakefulness
characterized by high levels of sensory awareness, thought, and behavior
withdrawal
variety of negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued
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