States of Consciousness ❮ 125Daydreaming—state with focus on inner, private realities, which can generate creative
ideas.
Hypnosis—state with deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility. The hidden
observer provides evidence for dissociation of consciousness.
Meditation—set of techniques used to focus concentration away from thoughts and
feelings in order to create calmness, tranquility, and inner peace.
Psychoactive drug—a chemical that can pass through the blood-brain barrier to alter
perception, thinking, behavior, and mood.
Four categories of psychoactive drugs:
1. Depressants—reduce activity of CNS and induce sleep.
2. Narcotics—depress the CNS, relieve pain, induce feelings of euphoria.
3. Stimulants—activate motivational centers; reduce activity in inhibitory centers of
the CNS.
4. Hallucinogens—distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of
sensory input.
Psychological dependence—person has intense desire to achieve the drugged state in
spite of adverse effects.
Physiological dependence (addiction)—blood chemistry changes from taking a drug
necessitate taking the drug again to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms—typically intense craving for drug and effects opposite to
those the drug usually induces.