Mikaela Shayne T.

Villaluna ECE 2-18

Chapter 6: Altered State of Consciousness (Sleep)
Why Do You Sleep?
Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs shows that sleep belong to the
physiological need of a person. It means that sleep is a biological necessity of a
person so that he can be physiologically capable of living. Sleeping is as important
as the need of water, air and food. Sleep deprivation or lack of sleep will cause our
bodily functions to not work properly. According to studies, sleep deprivation can
cause impairment in their mental and physical functions. A person who is deprived
of sleep cannot focus and think clearly. His immune system will be weak. Thus he
will be prone to diseases because of the need to sleep. Aside from that, it can also
cause low productivity and creativity leading to poor performance not only in school
and work but also in their daily routines. Emotionally, sleep deprivation can trigger
stress hormones leading to depression and mood swings. The person may easily be
irritated and aggressive that can clearly affect his emotions and the people around
him.
How sleep is controlled?
We have a biological clock that is represented by the suprachiasmatic
nucleus. This body clock lets the person know when he needs to sleep. This
suprachiasmatic nucleus is the one responsible on why most of the time people
sleep at night. Our body clock adapts to our sleep patterns so if most of the time
the person sleeps at 9:00pm then that person will be sleepy before that particular
time comes. But how does a person become sleepy? And why do our body feel the
need of sleep when it is dark? The answer is the activation of the suprachiasmatic
nucleus. The activation occurs when the optic nerve near the pineal gland detects
the lack of light. If that optic nerve detected that there is not enough light, then the
activation occurs in the hypothalamus that causes the secretion of melatonin.
Melatonin is the sleep hormone which is responsible for sleepiness when the
melatonin increases the sleepier that person will become. Aside from melatonin the
serotonin which is responsible of wakefulness increases the person will also be
sleepy. It is also evident that when its cold the person will be sleepier.
Stages of Sleep
There are two classifications of sleep REM and NREM. REM or Rapid Eye
movement, is the stage of sleep in where the muscles are inhibited. This is also the
time when most of our dreams happen. It is evident that when are eyes move in
rapid motion then we are dreaming. In NREM or Non-Rapid Eye movement, the
person is free to move thus during this stage of sleep the person might be able to
sleepwalk. The stages of NREM are classified by the amplitude of the waves ranging
from beta(conscious) to delta waves (deep sleep). These waves are measured
through a device called electroencephalograph.
Sleep Disorders
1. Nightmares and Night Terrors A sleep state of terror, confusion and panic
in where the person is awake from a deep sleep. Nightmares occur during
REM sleep thats why the person may be able to recall his dreams. Night
Terror occur during NREM sleep in where the person becomes awake but
cannot recall any remnants of his dreams at all. This disorders mostly
occur on children.
2. Somnambulism or Sleepwalking Somnambulism is the other term for
sleepwalking, this occurs during the NREM stage. Sleepwalking is
dangerous and the person who is doing this cannot recall anything. He or
she may do things that he or she cannot remember.
3. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder- Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder is the
disorder caused by the disruption of our biological clock. Most of the time
this disorder occurs on people who travel from one place to another with
different time zones. Since our body clock adapts and adjusts based on
our sleep pattern this can be cured if we sleep properly during the time
that are body needs it.
4. Narcolepsy- It is the irresistible attacks of sleep. The person may slip from
conscious to REM sleep. This is a threat to the safety of most drivers
because when they slip to REM then their muscles may be inhibited
causing them not to move this is called catalepsy. Catalepsy is the brief
episodes of sudden, bilateral loss of muscle tone
5. Insomnia and Hypersomnia- Insomnia is a disorder when the person
cannot sleep for more than a month. Hypersomnia is a disorder when the
person sleeps excessively
6. Sleep Apnea- Sleep Apnea causes the person to stop breathing. This
mostly occurs when the people is snoring. The passageway of air is
blocked because the muscles involved are not receiving impulses from the
brain. During an apnea episode the oxygen level drops causing the
secretion of hormones that awaken the person involved so he or she can
be able to breath again.