with amphetamines to keep the person awake. The brain problem leading to narcolepsy is a low level of the hypocretin molecule in the brain.
ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS An altered state of consciousness is any state that is different from being completely awake. It can be caused by psychological, physiological, or pharmacological interventions and can be anything that deviates from normal wakefulness. Altered states like this have been sought after for millennia, when people used mind-altering plants in religious or spiritual circumstances. There are five suggested categories of altered states of consciousness. These include the following: 1. Spontaneous—this is what happens with near-death experiences and daydreaming 2. Physiological—this can happen during sex or when fasting 3. Psychological—this can be triggered by meditation, hypnosis, and certain music 4. Pathological—this can be seen with brain damage and epilepsy 5. Pharmacological—this is caused by the use of psychoactive drugs and substances There are many psychoactive drugs, such as MDMA, which is ecstasy, opioids, alcohol, cocaine, LSD, and cannabis or marijuana. These can all affect one s attitude, level of consciousness, behavior, and awareness. Some will use these drugs to counteract anxiety. Many of these will be addictive as people seek to frequently alter their awareness. The non-pharmacological things that will affect consciousness include certain spiritual experiences, meditation, hypnosis, recreational activities, and the development of insight and sensitivity training. Any type of emotional state can lead to an altered state of consciousness. Even traumatic experiences can cause an altered state with decreased awareness of the environment. Sleep deprivation, fasting, and psychoses have the ability to alter one s state of consciousness.
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