Non Chemical Shifts Slides Non-Chemical Shifts
Exploring Hypnosis and Meditation as Altered States of Consciousness
Psychology Unit 3
What is an Altered State?
Consciousness
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
Altered State (ASC)
A temporary change in the overall pattern of subjective experience, including perception, memory, and emotion.
Examples:
Sleep and Dreaming
Hypnosis
Meditation
Psychoactive Drug Use
Hypnosis: Reality vs. Hollywood
Myths
• You lose all control of your actions.
• You can be "stuck" in a trance.
• It gives you superhuman strength.
• It works on everyone equally.
Facts
• It is a state of focused attention.
• You cannot be forced to do something against your morals.
• Effective for pain management .
• Susceptibility varies by individual.
Dissociation Theory
Proposed by Ernest Hilgard.
"Hypnosis involves a splitting of consciousness into two separate streams: one that responds to suggestions and another that remains aware of reality."
The "Hidden Observer"
1
Stream A: Direct hypnosis response (e.g., "I don't feel the cold water").
2
Stream B: The Hidden Observer (secretly aware of the cold, but detached).
Meditation
Training attention and awareness.
Physiological
Lowered heart rate, reduced cortisol, and slower breathing patterns.
Neurological
Increased gray matter in the prefrontal cortex; less activity in the amygdala.
Psychological
Improved focus, emotional regulation, and decreased rumination.
Reflection
If hypnosis can control pain as effectively as medication for some people, why isn't it used more frequently in hospitals?
Discuss with a partner
Shift Discovery Guide Worksheet Shift Discovery Guide
Psychology Unit: Sleep & Consciousness
Name: ____________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
1
The Postural Sway Test
Based on the classroom simulation, record your observations and responses to the suggestibility test.
Physical Sensation
Describe any physical movement or tension you felt when listening to the instructions...
Mental State
Were you focused, skeptical, relaxed, or distracted? How did this impact your result?
Analyzing Results:
Research suggests about 10% of people are highly hypnotizable, while 10% are highly resistant. Based on this test, where do you think you fall on the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale? Why?
2
The Hidden Observer Model
Using Hilgard's Dissociation Theory, map how a hypnotized person experiencing the "Ice Water Challenge" might process their experience.
Stream 1: Conscious Trance
What does the subject say they feel?
Stream 2: Hidden Observer
What is the nervous system actually recording?
3
Mind Over Gray Matter
Compare the brain of a long-term meditator to a control subject based on the lecture. Fill in the specific functions impacted by these brain regions.
The Prefrontal Cortex
Meditation Correlation: Thicker/More Active
Psychological Function:
How does this explain a meditator's ability to stay calm under stress?
The Amygdala
Meditation Correlation: Reduced Activity
Psychological Function:
Why is this relevant for patients with anxiety disorders?
The Big Picture
Both hypnosis and meditation are "top-down" processes. Using what you know about perception, explain how your expectations and focus can change your biological experience of the world.
Sway Simulation Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
The Sway Simulation
Standardized Postural Sway Suggestibility Protocol
Objective
To demonstrate individual differences in suggestibility—the primary component of hypnotic susceptibility. This activity provides the "hook" for students to understand that hypnosis is a real psychological state but affects everyone differently.
Preparation
Students must stand with enough space around them to slightly lean without hitting a desk.
Ensure the room is quiet. Dimming the lights can increase the effect of the suggestion.
Safety: Instruct students to keep their eyes closed but feet firmly planted. They should stop if they feel dizzy.
The Script
"Stand perfectly still with your eyes closed. Take a deep breath. Focus only on the sound of my voice. Imagine you are a tall, thin tree in a gentle wind..."
"Now, imagine there is a strong magnet behind your shoulders. It is pulling you backward... slowly... steadily... feel the pull. Your body is starting to tilt back toward the magnet... you can't help it... you are leaning back... leaning back..."
Facilitation Guide
What to look for:
About 20% of your students will noticeably tilt backward. Some will remain perfectly rigid. A few might giggle (a sign of nervous resistance).
Key takeaway:
The tilt isn't magic; it's the brain's motor cortex responding to top-down mental imagery . This is the essence of hypnosis.
Discussion Sparkers
Did you lean because you "wanted" to, or because you felt "pulled"? (Agency vs. Involuntariness)
For those who didn't lean: Were you trying to resist, or were you just not able to visualize the magnet?
Why might being highly suggestible be a survival advantage in some contexts?
Synaptic Hijackers Slides Synaptic Hijackers
The Neurobiology of Psychoactive Drug Action
Lesson 2 Pharmacology
The Brain's Security Gate
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
A semi-permeable border that prevents solutes in the blood from non-selectively crossing into the central nervous system.
How do drugs get in?
Psychoactive drugs are lipid-soluble (fat-soluble), allowing them to slip through the barrier and hijack the system.
Simulated Barrier Permeability
Synaptic Review: The Handshake
01
Release
Action potential triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse.
02
Binding
Chemicals fit into specific receptors on the post-synaptic neuron (Lock and Key).
03
Reuptake
Excess neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron.
THE HIJACKERS
Agonists
"The Mimic"
Drugs that increase a neurotransmitter's action by mimicking it or blocking reuptake.
Action: Binds to Receptor + Activates it.
Antagonists
"The Blocker"
Drugs that decrease a neurotransmitter's action by blocking its receptor site.
Action: Binds to Receptor + Blocks it.
The Reward Circuit
Most addictive drugs target the Mesolimbic Pathway, flooding the brain with Dopamine .
Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)
Nucleus Accumbens
Prefrontal Cortex
Euphoria
The brain remembers the drug as a "survival-level" reward.
Synaptic Scenario
"Curare is a poison used on arrow tips. It paralyzes muscles by binding to ACh receptors but not activating them. Is Curare an Agonist or an Antagonist?"
Synaptic Blueprint Worksheet Synaptic Blueprint
Mapping Chemical Hijacking
Name: _______________________
Period: ______________________
1
Standard Operating Procedure
Label the three key components of this simplified synapse and explain the "Lock and Key" mechanism.
Sending Neuron
The Synaptic Gap
Mechanism Explanation:
Role of Reuptake:
2
The Intervention
Model A: Agonist
Example: Morphine (Endorphin Agonist)
Draw and explain how an agonist interacts with the receptor site compared to the natural neurotransmitter.
Model B: Antagonist
Example: Haloperidol (Dopamine Antagonist)
Draw and explain how an antagonist prevents the neuron from firing or communicating.
The Dopamine Question
If a drug increases dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens, the brain experiences this as pleasure. Explain why an agonist for dopamine is more likely to be addictive than an antagonist .
Lock & Key Workshop Teacher Guide Lock & Key Workshop
A Kinesthetic Neurotransmission Activity
Concept
Students physically represent the components of a synapse to visualize how chemicals communicate and how drugs interrupt that communication.
Materials
• Colored index cards (Red, Green, Blue)
• Masking tape (to mark the 'synaptic gap')
• Stop watch
The Ensemble
Sending Team
Releases "neurotransmitter" cards into the gap.
Receiving Team
Must "catch" and hold cards to trigger a signal.
Reuptake Team
Collects uncaught cards and returns them to the Sender.
Simulation Rounds
01
Homeostasis
Students pass cards normally. Establish a baseline for "signal speed" (how many cards are caught in 30 seconds).
02
The Agonist Flood
Add 10 extra "Agonist" cards (same color). Rule: Receivers must catch as many as possible. Result: Over-activation/Euphoria.
03
The Antagonist Wall
A new group of students enters the gap holding large red signs. They stand in front of the Receivers but don't catch cards. Result: Communication failure.
Facilitator Pro-Tips
Relate Round 2 to Cocaine (which blocks reuptake, keeping dopamine in the gap longer).
Relate Round 3 to Curare or Antipsychotics.
Ask: "How does this explain why someone might need more of a drug to get the same effect later?" (Preview for Tolerance).
Chemical Categories Slides Chemical Categories
Classifying Psychoactive Substances by Physiological Effect
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
The Taxonomic Framework
Depressants
"The Downers"
Slows neural activity and body functions.
Primary: GABA Agonists
Stimulants
"The Uppers"
Excites neural activity and speeds up body functions.
Primary: Dopamine/NE Agonists
Hallucinogens
"The Psychedelics"
Distort perceptions and evoke sensory images.
Primary: Serotonin Mimics
FOCUS: DEPRESSANTS
Quietening the Mind
Alcohol
Disinhibitor. Impairs judgment, slows motor response, and disrupts memory formation.
Opiates (Heroin/Morphine)
Pain relief + euphoria. Causes the brain to stop producing its own endorphins.
The Dangers of Synergy
Combining depressants (like alcohol and barbiturates) can be fatal because their effects on the CNS are additive—literally stopping the heart and lungs.
Stimulants
Caffeine & Nicotine
The most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. Increase alertness, but withdrawal leads to irritability and headaches.
Cocaine & Amphetamines
Fast-acting agonists for Dopamine. Create a massive "high" followed by a severe "crash" when the neurotransmitters are depleted.
"Stimulants don't provide energy; they force the brain to spend its neurotransmitter 'savings' all at once."
Hallucinogens
LSD (Acid)
Creates a "near-death experience" effect. Distorts perception of time and self.
Marijuana (THC)
A "mild" hallucinogen with depressant properties. Relaxes, disinhibits, and amplifies sensory sensitivity.
Sensory Distortions • Synesthesia • Altered Time Perception
Card Sort Ready?
"In your teams, match the chemical compound to its classification and its primary neural mechanism. Speed and accuracy count!"
Substance Profiles Organizer Substance Profiles
Physiological Reference Sheets
Depressant
Alcohol
Neural Mechanism
GABA Agonist; Glutamate Antagonist. Slows down inhibitory control centers first.
CNS Impact
Psychological Effects
Stimulant
Cocaine
Neural Mechanism
Blocks reuptake of Dopamine, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine.
CNS Impact
Psychological Effects
Hallucinogen
THC
Neural Mechanism
Binds to cannabinoid receptors; mimics anandamide.
CNS Impact
Psychological Effects
Depressant
Heroin
Neural Mechanism
Endorphin Agonist. Directly stimulates opioid receptors.
CNS Impact
Psychological Effects
Critical Synthesis: Synergistic Effects
Explain why a person taking a prescription Barbiturate (Depressant) must avoid even small amounts of Alcohol (Depressant) based on their shared neural pathway.
Chemistry Card Sort Kit Teacher Guide
The Chemistry Card Sort
Active Categorization Game & Assessment
Gameplay Instructions
The Objective
Teams of 3 must match 12 "Substance Cards" to their correct "Category," "Neural Action," and "Primary Effect" headers as quickly as possible.
The Scoring
+1 point for each correct match. -2 points for a "Lethal Synergy" error (mixing Depressants with other Depressants).
Printable Card Content
Substance Category Neural Action Primary Effect Alcohol Depressant GABA Agonist Disinhibition Caffeine Stimulant Adenosine Antagonist Alertness LSD Hallucinogen Serotonin Mimic Visual Distortion Heroin Depressant Endorphin Agonist Pain Relief Cocaine Stimulant Dopamine Reuptake Block Euphoria / High Ecstasy Stim/Hallucinogen Serotonin Surge Empathy / Heat
Debriefing Questions
"Why is Alcohol often mistaken for a stimulant by casual observers?"
Answer: It depresses the frontal lobe's 'brakes' first, leading to impulsive/active behavior.
"What happens to the brain's own endorphin production when Heroin is used repeatedly?"
Answer: The brain stops producing natural endorphins, leading to intense pain during withdrawal.
Cycle of Dependence Slides The Cycle of Dependence
Tolerance, Withdrawal, and the Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction
Biological
Psychological
Social
The Vocabulary of Addiction
Tolerance
The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses to experience the same effect.
Withdrawal
The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.
Neuroadaptation
"The brain compensates for drug use by changing its chemistry to maintain balance (Homeostasis)."
Dependence
Is addiction in the body or the mind?
Physical
The body needs the drug to function. Cessation leads to physical pain and cravings (tremors, nausea).
Psychological
The drug becomes a vital part of emotional wellbeing. Used to relieve negative emotions (anxiety, depression).
The "Rat Park" Experiment
Classic addiction studies used rats in small, isolated cages. They almost always chose drugged water until they died.
Bruce Alexander's Twist
Rats in a happy, social environment (Rat Park) with toys and friends rarely chose the drugged water.
"The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection."
Why do some people get addicted?
Biological
Genetic predispositions, variations in neurotransmitter systems.
Psychological
Lack of purpose, significant stress, psychological disorders (depression).
Social-Cultural
Difficult environment, peer influences, cultural attitude toward drug use.
If addiction is "biopsychosocial," why is the legal system's primary response almost exclusively "social" (incarceration)?
How would a "Biological" response look different?
Biopsychosocial Case Study Worksheet Biopsychosocial Analysis
Case Study: The Roots of Addiction
Psychology 11
Subject: Marcus J.
Marcus is a 22-year-old college student struggling with an increasing dependence on prescription stimulants. His father and grandfather both struggled with alcoholism. Marcus reports that he first started using the drug to keep up with a rigorous pre-med schedule after failing a major exam, which triggered a period of deep self-doubt and anxiety.
Currently, Marcus lives in a high-pressure fraternity house where "study aids" are widely distributed and normalized. He finds that he can no longer focus on his homework without taking a pill, and he experiences intense irritability and "brain fog" whenever he tries to stop.
Dissecting the Dependence
Biological
Identify genetic or physiological factors...
Psychological
Identify cognitive or emotional factors...
Social-Cultural
Identify environmental or peer factors...
Evidence of Tolerance
Quote or explain a detail from the text that shows Marcus's brain has undergone neuroadaptation.
Evidence of Withdrawal
Identify the specific symptoms Marcus feels when the drug leaves his system.
Synthesis: The "Rat Park" Connection
If Marcus were moved out of the high-pressure fraternity and into a supportive, low-stress environment with strong social connections, how might his "Psychological" and "Social" risk factors change? Would his biological addiction immediately disappear?
Brain Safety Project Slides Brain Safety Project
Science Communication for Harm Reduction
Final Challenge
Your Mission
Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) or Infographic that explains the neural impact of a specific substance or practice to your peers.
Target Audience:
High School Students (Grades 9-12)
Must Include:
Correct Bio-Classification
Specific Neural Mechanism
Reward Pathway Impact
Evidence-Based Safety Info
Science vs. Fear
[Image Placeholder: "This is your brain on drugs" egg commercial]
Fear-Based
Focuses on scary imagery and extreme consequences. Often lacks specific neural data.
[Image Placeholder: Modern MRI-based infographic]
Science-Based
Focuses on mechanisms, biological vulnerability, and harm reduction. Builds credibility.
Choose Your Format
The Infographic
Visual, data-driven posters. Best for explaining complex synaptic processes or the blood-brain barrier.
The PSA
Short video or audio script. Best for telling stories, highlighting social contexts like "Rat Park," or empathy-building.
How You'll Be Graded
Accuracy
Biological facts are 100% correct and evidence-based.
Clarity
Complex neuro-concepts are explained for a non-expert peer.
Design
Visuals or audio enhance the message, not distract from it.
Tone
Avoids stigma and fear-mongering; focuses on health.
Work Time: 2 Class Periods
"Knowledge is the best defense."
By the end of this project, you will be the bridge between clinical neuroscience and public health.
Safety Planner Project Guide Safety Planner
Neuroscience Public Health Project
Project Lead: ____________________
Topic: ________________________
1
Topic Selection & Tone
Chosen Substance or Practice:
e.g., Vaping, Sleep Deprivation, Alcohol, Meditation...
Core Message (In one sentence):
2
The Neural "Why"
Your PSA must be scientifically grounded. Identify the technical details you will explain to your audience.
Synaptic Action
Agonist/Antagonist/Mimic? Which neurotransmitter is targeted?
Brain Regions Impacted
Frontal Lobe? Reward Center? Amygdala?
3
Visual/Script Blueprint
Opening Hook
The Science Explained
The Action Step
The "Scientific Peer-Review" Checklist
Did I avoid "This is your brain on eggs" style fear-mongering?
Is my explanation of the synapse accurate?
Does my design use consistent fonts and clear layout?
Is my source for the safety info evidence-based (NIH/APA)?
Brain Safety Rubric Assessment Tool
Brain Safety Rubric
Scientific Accuracy & Communication Mastery
Criteria Emerging (1) Proficient (3) Mastery (5) Biological Accuracy Significant errors in synaptic action or neuro-classification. Accurately identifies mechanism; some minor lack of detail. Detailed, 100% accurate explanation of synapse and reward pathway. Science Comm. Too technical for peers or too simplistic. High jargon. Effective translation of science; accessible language. Complex science is made intuitively clear without losing rigor. Tone & Ethics Fear-based or judgmental tone. Relies on social stigma. Neutral, evidence-based tone. Focuses on harm reduction. Empathetic, humanizing, and focuses on biopsychosocial context. Visual/Audio Design Cluttered or distracting. Low quality or confusing. Clean design; highlights key information effectively. Professional, highly engaging, and aesthetically cohesive.
Peer Feedback Script
The Glow
"The scientific part you explained most clearly was... because..."
The Grow
"One neural mechanism that could be explained even more simply is..."
Facilitator Note
Encourage students to use specific terms like Down-regulation and Homeostasis to explain why drug use leads to a "cycle." The project should empower students with knowledge rather than shame them into silence.
