Hypnosis and Drugs

Music: “Ganja Babe”

Weeds Soundtrack“Alcohol”

Barenaked Ladies

Today: Ch. 5 Part II• 1. Drugs:

• a) Alcohol• b) Marijuana• c) Ecstasy • d) Narcotics

• 2. Drug Dependence• 3. Factors in Drug Use• 4. Hypnosis:

• a) Definition• b) Susceptibility• c) Facts & Falsehood• d) Theories• e) Demonstration

• 5. Dream interpretation (cont’d from last week)• 6. 4. Movies:

• “Hypnosis and Surgery Pain” (5 min.)• “Weight Loss Hypnosis” (4 min.)

1. Drugs a) Alcohol:

Effects: slows down brain activity that controls judgment, inhibitions and motor coordination.

Binge drinking in university students Accidents:

BAC & driving

Violent crime: rape & domestic violence

1. a) Alcohol (cont’d) Complications

with chronic use: • emotional • social • physical (p.233)

Diagnosis: Self-administered test

1. Drugs (cont’d) • b) Marijuana: (THC)

• Effects: mild hallucinogen; amplifies senses• Mild euphoria and relaxation

• Associated problems:• Effects on memory & attention • Automobile accidents• Lung Disease• Early onset psychosis in those vulnerable

• c) Ecstasy (MDMA):• Effects: euphoria, energy, emotional bonding and empathy• Physical consequences: damage to serotonin pathways• Long term impairments in memory, mood and personality

1. Drugs (cont’d)• d) Narcotics or opiates:

• Derived from opium and capable of relieving pain

• E.g. Heroin, morphine, codeine• Most commonly abused:

− oxycontin (Hillbilly Heroin/Oxy)− heroin

• 2. Drug Dependence

2. Drug Dependence What do Doctors look for to diagnose drug

dependence? Must have 3 or more of the following

symptoms: Substance taken in larger amounts than

intended Desire and unsuccessful attempts to cut

back Considerable time spent obtaining the

substance Inability to fulfill role obligations &

curtailing important activities due to substance

Marked tolerance Withdrawal symptoms

3. Factors in Drug Abuse• a) Depends on the drug, p. 224

3. Factors in Drug Abuse (cont’d)

• b) Biological predisposition•Genetic factors

− Translates into fewer dopamine receptors − Predict who will be more likely to be addicted

to alcohol, cocaine and heroin

• c) Psychological factors: • Depression/anxiety• Escape from painful self-awareness

• d) Social factors:• Peers• Family background

4. Hypnosis • a) Definition:

• “Systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility.” (p.214)

• b) Susceptibility: • Hypnotic ability is normally

distributed

4. Hypnosis (cont’d) b) Susceptibility

• Associated traits:• absorption, imaginativeness, rich fantasy life• Imaginative suggestibility

c) Facts and Falsehood p. 214: What hypnosis can do:

• Alleviate pain• Sensory distortions• Treatment of hypertension, migraines, allergies

What hypnosis cannot do: • Age regression/ Regression into past lives• Make people act against their will• Recover lost memories

4. d) Theories of Hypnosis - Role enactment theory:

Hypnosis is a normal mental state in which suggestible people act out the role of a hypnotic subject.

- Hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness: Hypnotic effects are attibutable to a special sate of

consciousness. Changes in brain activity Hypnosis creates a dissociation or split in consciousness

- Unification of views Hypnotic phenomena involve both alterations in

consciousness and complex social interactions that are shaped by role expectations.

4. e) Hypnotic Induction• Demonstration using a common, clinical induction

procedure

5. Self-Guide to Dream Interpretation• Example from the class:• 1) Write your dream in the present

tense• 2) Underline dream elements• 3) Provide more description of the

dream elements• 4) Associate to dream elements• 5) Link to waking life• 6) Interpreting your dream &

making it work for you!

4. Movies

• 1) “Hypnosis and Surgery Pain”• How hypnosis has helped one cancer survivor.

• 2) “Weight Loss Hypnosis” • Hypnosis helps one woman find the

motivation to eat healthier and exercise. A look at the scientific side of hypnosis, how it can help, and its limitations.

• Note: 2 multiple choice questions may be extracted from these movies for midterm #2