Ch.4 Topics

1. What is addiction, and what brain processes play a central role in it?
      Addiction is the physiological dependence on a drug or foreign substance. The insula region of the brain and the chemical dopamine are hyperactive when an addict craves and uses drugs, and is damaged when drugs are abused.
2. How the study of brain activity in consciousness  might help people who are paralyzed.
     In one study, microchips were implanted into quadriplegic patients. The chips were able to translate cortex motor neurons that had fired and then used these firings as a remote to control robotic movements, such as a prosthetic device.
3. Blindsight and its implications.
     In blindsight, usually some part of the visual system is damaged leaving the patient unable to see, however the patient is able to identify specifics of the item, such as if it is moving. Some of the visual information goes to the amygdala, so even if the visual regions of the brain are injured, parts of the signals will still be interpreted by other parts of the brain.
4. REM sleep
     (Rapid eye movement) the fast darting of the eyes beneath the eyelids. Also called paradoxical sleep because the body is resting and the brain is active.
5. The concept of flow.
      Flow is an optimal experiednce, in that the acgtivit is completely absorbing and completely satisfying. They lose track of time, and doesn't notice or realized external conflict or things.
6. How expectations modify alcohol effect.
     Some people drink because they believe they will get the expected result or effect from drinking, such as some relaxation from only a small to moderate amount of alcohol consumption, or negative, violent effects from excessive amounts of alcohol. Impairment only blocks out annoyances that people experience after becoming intoxicated. Problems they had before they started drinking, have been proven to bother the person worse.