Top Ten Myths About Consciousness

1. Top Ten Myths About Consciousness 1. Hypnosis is a unique “trance” state that differs in kind from wakefulness. 2. Researchers have demonstrated that dreams possess symbolic meaning. 3. During “out-of-body” experiences people’s consciousness leaves their bodies. 4. Relaxation is necessary for hypnosis to occur. 5. People have no memory for what took place while hypnotized. 6. Sleeping pills are a good long term treatment for insomnia. 7. People only dream in black and white. 8.. Most sleep walkers are acting out their dreams; most sleeptalkers are verbalizing them. 9. If we dream that we die, we actually die. 10. Transcendental meditation is a uniquely effective means of achieving relaxation.

2. Waking States of Consciousness • Alpha • Beta

3. Stages of Sleep • NREM -1 • NREM -2 • NREM -3 • REM

4. Dream Theories • Freud (manifest and latent content) • Jung (collective unconscious and archetypes) • Dreams as Solutions • Activation – Synthesis

5. Characteristics of the Hypnotic State • The Subject Ceases to Make Plans • Attention is Redistributed • Reality Distortion is Readily Accepted • The Hypnotized Subject Readily Enacts Unusual Roles • Posthypnotic Amnesia is Often Present

6. Characteristics of Hypnotized Subjects • Openness to Experience • Creating Vivid Images • Absorption

7. Two Steps in Meditation • Subject Clears Mind • Subject Attends to Stimulus (concentrative - mantra, opening-up, mindfulness)

8. Alcohol • Depressant • Stumble and Slur • Poor Judgment • Physiologically Addictive • Withdrawal Symptoms

9. Amphetamines • Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Methedrine • Stimulants • Dulls Appetite • Increases Energy • Speed Freak – Amphetamine Psychosis

10. Marijuana • Hallucinogen • Euphoria • Affects Complex Behaviors • Doesn’t Affect Simple Behaviors • May Cause Panic Reactions in Large Doses

11. Heroin • Narcotic • Orgasm of the Whole Body • Nausea • Sexual Interest Declines • Physiologically Addictive • Withdrawal Symptoms