stages of sleep frq

Barbiturates

This is a class of drug derived from barbituric acid that is often used for medical purposes as a sedative and/or hypnotic. The effects barbiturates produce are similar to alcohol, causing feelings of depression, sleepiness, impaired judgment, and reduced inhibitions. Barbiturates fall under the "depressant" drug class and can be very addictive. One example you are probably familiar with is Pentothal, also known as truth serum. This barbiturate (and the reason people refer to it as truth serum) is because it produces a drunken-like state during which people are less inhibited and more likely to tell the truth. All barbiturates affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter (chemical) that nerves use to communicate with one another.

withdrawl

a array of physical symptoms that are associated with the decrease or discontinuation of the use of addictive or psychoactive substances. This reaction varies by the substance that is being withdrawn and can be quite violent or even life-threatening in the case of opioids like heroin. Ideally withdrawal from drugs should be medically supervised.

Sleep cycle

a period of sleep lasting about 90 minutes and including one or more stages of NREM sleep, followed by REM sleep -as the night progresses REM tends to dominate

sleep walking

also known as somnambulism or noctambulism, is classified as a parasomnia, a disorder in which disruptions or abnormalities in the nervous system occur during sleep. It is the phenomenon of a person walking, talking, and engaging in physical activities without mentally awakening from a sleep state. This occurs when a person arises from a low wave state of sleep and performs actions that are normally engaged in while awake. While relatively harmless if limited to sitting up in bed, walking to the bathroom, or even cleaning it does not present a problem

N1 stage

between sleep and wakefulness, nrem alpha waves, hypnagogic hallucinations, tetris effect, feeling of falling (hypnic jerks)

Depressents

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow down body functions. Many people think that alcohol is not a depressant and actually makes them have more fun. However, what alcohol does is lower inhibitions, so you may act in ways you otherwise would not. Also, it diminishes your senses - makes you less alert, less attentive, less "sharp", essentially depressing the nervous system.

N3 stage

nream delta waves, slow-wave sleep - deepest level of sleep. Typically occurs at the beginning of a night's sleep. Sleepwalking, sleeptalking, nightmares, and bedwetting occur.

N2 stage

nrem theta waves, sleep spindles, k complexes. some believe sleep spindles are used to decrease arousal (prevent waking up due to loud noises).

circadian rhythm

the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle , the clock is not really functioning on time, but on body temperature. It is just that body temperature fluctuates on somewhat of a regular type of schedule, and so many people often believe that the circadian rhythms are time oriented instead of body temperature oriented. For example, your body temperature begins to increase in the morning (as you wake and start your day), then gets higher during the day while you are active, and begins to drop during the evening, producing feelings of fatigue and preparing for sleep.

Tolerance

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

Opiates/Narcotics

traditionally a term for a drug with psychoactive properties that has a sedative effect, reduces pain, and dulls the senses. Narcotic is most commonly used to refer to opiates like heroin, morphine, and other opiate based drugs. The term narcotic is also used in a legal context to mean a psychoactive substance that is prohibited or restricted by the government. For example, marijuana and LSD are not narcotics in the traditional sense but are classified as such by some states.

sleep apnea

A disorder that interrupts your sleep. Individuals wake overcome by fear and an increased heart and respiration rage. Lost of oxygen, machine helps cure

night terrors (sleep terrors)

Abrupt awakenings from NREM sleep accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and feelings of panic.

REM sleep

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