Sleeping and Dreaming

Chapter 2

1. Sleep protects- historically it is safer if we sleep at night

2. Sleep helps us recover- helps us restore and repair brain tissue

3. Sleep helps us remember- restores and builds new memories

4. sleeps plays a role in the growth process- pituitary gland releases growth hormones while you are sleeping

Why do we sleep?

Suppress immune cells that fight infection Chronic sleep debt alters metabolism and

hormonal functions (obesity, high blood pressure, and memory impairments)

Irritable, slows performance, concentration, and communication

Effects of sleep loss

1. insomnia- have persistent problems falling asleep or staying asleep

2. narcolepsy- sudden attacks of overwhelming sleepiness, usually lasts about 5 min.

Sleep Disorders

3. sleep apnea- people stop breathing during sleep usually linked with obesity in men

4. night terrors and sleep walking- occurs during stage 4, most often only occur in children because they spend more time in stage 4.

Sleep Disorders

Freud’s wish fulfillment theory◦ Latent content- the unconscious drives and

wishes that would be threatening if expressed directly.

◦ He believed that most dreams are related to erotic wishes (a gun might symbolize the penis)

Why we dream