Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Straight Hate · 11-05-2002, 12:55 AM

This discussion may be somewhat of an oddity, but it has piqued my curiousity regardless. For a recent psychology assignment I was asked to design an experiment that tested the effects of a certain drug on a certain state of consciousness. Easy enough to do, right? Right.

The problem, however, is that I'm finding myself wondering more and more about the true outcome of this experiment now that I've actually devised its structure! For the assignment, I compared the effects barbiturates (commonly found in sleeping pills) have on REM sleep, and the associated dreams of said phase. Interestingly enough, while barbiturates induce sleep, they really don't serve their function well as they suppress REM sleep (arguably, the dreams that occur in that phase as well).

My question to anyone who may have some knowledge on the subject: What is the true nature of this suppression? Do the euphoric effects of barbiturates affect the content of the dreams if the suppression of REM sleep is not enough to discourage the occurrence of dreaming?

Thanks.

ps418 · 11-05-2002, 10:16 AM

Quote:

For the assignment, I compared the effects barbiturates (commonly found in sleeping pills) have on REM sleep, and the associated dreams of said phase. Interestingly enough, while barbiturates induce sleep, they really don't serve their function well as they suppress REM sleep (arguably, the dreams that occur in that phase as well).

According to the article <a href="http://www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000173/CH169.html" target="_blank">barbiturates</a> from the <a href="http://www.acnp.org" target="_blank">American College of Neuropsychopharmocology,</a> is is unclear the extant to which REM supression is harmful, or even if it is harmful at all:

Quote:

Whereas the barbiturates have inconsistent effects on slow-wave sleep, they consistently and potently depress rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Benzodiazepines, in contrast, are potent suppressors of slow-wave sleep but have relatively mild REM-suppressing effects. The lesser effect of benzodiazepines on REM suppression was at one time viewed as advantageous. However, later researchers have questioned the degree to which REM suppression is harmful, or whether it is harmful at all and indeed REM deprivation studies have indicated that in some situations it may even be therapeutic (i.e., as a treatment for depression). Moreover, since the functions of the various sleep stages remain uncertain, at this time it is not clear whether there are advantages to relative reductions in one specific stage, relative to another. Abrupt cessation of recommended doses of hypnotic barbiturates, as with shorter-acting hypnotics, leads to transient sleep disturbance. This is often accompanied by temporary increases in the amount of REM sleep. Once again, it is not clear whether the elevated duration of REM sleep specifically translates into the subjective experiences of distressed sleep.

Note: benzodiazepines are said to have a milder REM supressant effect than other tranquilizers. In my experience, benzodiazepines are the most widely prescribed, including valium/diazapam, xanax, restoril, and ativan.

Patrick

[ November 05, 2002: Message edited by: ps418 ]</p>

Straight Hate · 11-05-2002, 04:25 PM

Wow, thanks for the reply! That was beyond the scope of any introductory psychology text I've glanced at, but you've provided the perfect opportunity to jump in. It's interesting (at the same time slightly.. exasperating, you could say) to learn there is still much researchers have to discover about the different stages of sleep, and how REM fits into the equation.

11-05-2002, 12:55 AM	#1
Straight Hate Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,171	Barbiturates & REM This discussion may be somewhat of an oddity, but it has piqued my curiousity regardless. For a recent psychology assignment I was asked to design an experiment that tested the effects of a certain drug on a certain state of consciousness. Easy enough to do, right? Right. The problem, however, is that I'm finding myself wondering more and more about the true outcome of this experiment now that I've actually devised its structure! For the assignment, I compared the effects barbiturates (commonly found in sleeping pills) have on REM sleep, and the associated dreams of said phase. Interestingly enough, while barbiturates induce sleep, they really don't serve their function well as they suppress REM sleep (arguably, the dreams that occur in that phase as well). My question to anyone who may have some knowledge on the subject: What is the true nature of this suppression? Do the euphoric effects of barbiturates affect the content of the dreams if the suppression of REM sleep is not enough to discourage the occurrence of dreaming? Thanks.

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11-05-2002, 04:25 PM	#3
Straight Hate Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,171	Wow, thanks for the reply! That was beyond the scope of any introductory psychology text I've glanced at, but you've provided the perfect opportunity to jump in. It's interesting (at the same time slightly.. exasperating, you could say) to learn there is still much researchers have to discover about the different stages of sleep, and how REM fits into the equation.

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