States of Consciousness

Consciousness involves an individual's awareness of internal and external stimuli. Internal stimuli might include feelings of hunger or emotional …

Higher levels of consciousness involve controlled processes that require focused effort on complex tasks, driven by the brain's ability to think, …

Altered states of consciousness can be substance-induced, or can be triggered by illness, meditation, and hypnosis. The use of substances, such as …

Subconscious awareness processes information automatically without conscious effort. Subconscious problem-solving during breaks is called incubation, …

Sleep is a naturally occurring state characterized by reduced physical activity and sensory awareness. Sleep is regulated by brain regions, specifically …

Sleep progresses through stages, starting with non-rapid eye movement or NREM, and transitioning to rapid eye movement or REM. Each stage is characterized …

Insufficient sleep is when an individual receives less than adequate sleep on a regular basis, gradually impairing alertness, reducing focus, increasing …

Freud viewed dreams as windows to the unconscious, revealing hidden desires and fears. He introduced two key concepts to understand dreams — …

Lucid dreaming occurs when an individual becomes aware that they are dreaming. This awareness allows the individual to choose how to interact with the …

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that involves symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, or waking too early. Insomnia is …

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, occurs during stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep when individuals are least likely to be dreaming. During sleepwalking …

During REM sleep, most voluntary muscles, such as those in the arms and legs, are temporarily paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams. REM Sleep behavior …

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition causing an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to sensations such as itching, throbbing, crawling, …

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops, with each pause potentially lasting for at least 10 seconds. Sleep apnea primarily …

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrolled daytime sleepiness, with individuals entering REM sleep directly. The urge to sleep can be so …

Nightmares are distressing dreams that occur during REM sleep, often waking the individual and leaving vivid memories upon waking. Nightmares can affect …

Substance use disorders involve repeatedly consuming more of a substance, such as alcohol, prescription medications, or caffeine, than intended, despite …

Psychoactive drugs act on the nervous system and brain functions and alter consciousness, impacting mood, perception, and behavior. These drugs are …

Depressants are a class of drugs that slow down brain activity. They work by increasing the activity of inhibitory neurotransmitters like …

Drugs that increase neural activity and boost dopamine levels in the brain, making their consumption highly addictive, are called stimulants. There are …

Hallucinogens are psychoactive drugs that alter an individual's perception of reality, creating unreal visual images. Marijuana and lysergic acid …