We as human beings are privileged to be of a higher intellect and power compared to other beings in the universe. Our ability to comprehend, understand and internalize information may be based on our state of awareness and high cognitive power. As stated by the Dorland’s Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers, consciousness is defined as “the state of awareness of our own feeling, thoughts, and sensations, being fully aware, oriented and responsive to the environment”. This state of awareness on the surface presents as an easy entity, however an intricate analysis and study of the same shows that consciousness is not only a matter of being awake and aware but a combination of stimuli both active and inactive being constantly processed and analyzed by the brain to give a dull sense of awareness. In understanding consciousness it is prudent to discuss and understand the basic concept of consciousness, the levels of awareness, and associations between the levels of awareness, theories and new findings in regard to consciousness. This is a field that empowers individuals to understand themselves better, analyze their actions and assist in the development of new coping strategies such as meditation. Awareness encompasses a sense of self, environment and a sense of others. In due respect there are different levels of awareness experienced by individuals on a daily basis, some occurring repeatedly, and cumulatively thus assisting in the full realization of awareness.
Awareness types
Low awareness involves the estimation of sensory stimuli such sight, sounds and different smells (Diener " Teeny, n.d.). In such position, there is a continuous awareness of the surrounding, whereby the individuals do not identify each detail. It incorporates control of heartbeat, speech coordination and muscle contraction coordination. We are aware that these functions are taking place since they are essential for livelihood, however we are not fully in control of them (Pinker, 2007). This aspect can be equated to unconscious thoughts i.e. these functionalities are not done in full awareness. A number of sensory stimuli provoke a response mechanically without the individuals being alert. For instance, when we are in danger, we automatically initiate a set of responses, which may be unique to everyone. Some people start sweating profusely, others develop goose bumps and other individuals become numb and cannot move. These are body responses signifying that we are aware that there is danger and the body automatically responds to danger. Such responses initiate the fight or flight mechanism that is essential in such instances. We may choose to escape from danger or confront it head on. All these responses occur without physical willing action. This demonstrates a feeling of low awareness.
High awareness is another state of consciousness reflective of high attention, cautious decision-making and alertness. In this state, we are in full control of our actions, thought process and functionality. We choose to do a particular entity and evaluate in in terms of our needs and wants. A great example of the higher level of awareness includes mindfulness that highlights the ability to fathom the thoughts and experiences crossing our minds. We have the ability to critically analyze out thoughts and various content, both in word and video formats. Reading this paper and making an impression is proof that you are utilizing high awareness. Meditation is another feature of high awareness, which involves strict attention and concentration on a specific thing or the reality of being. Meditation has become common and various health benefits have been attributed to it. It involves blocking all other distractions and focusing to attain and remain at a state of peace. The ability to conduct such an entity is proof of high awareness, whereby the brain is fully focused on attaining one particular goal. Humans switch between low and high awareness states to achieve the best state of consciousness. For example during meditation, despite the fact that an individual is fully focused there are aspects of low awareness.
The above factors raise two main questions that philosophers have argued and still do try to decipher. The first question/ problem is what is the difference in mental computation of conscious though process and unconscious though process? (Pinker, 2007) The second problem seeks to identify why we perceive a feeling when having a conscious process, For example when we think of color we remember and associate that color with a past experience or a particular entity. We are able to have a sense of greenness. Thus explaining how subjective individual experiences originate from neural computation is the basis of the second problem (Pinker, 2007).
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is labeled by a decrease in peripheral stimulation as well as the awareness, reflecting peaked attention to a specific single stimulus (Kihlstrom, 2003). Hypnosis is the change in the way we perceive sense and elicit feelings (Krauss, 2012). This is the type of an awareness state, which lies in between high and low awareness, whereby an individual does not pay attention to the surroundings and the feelings caused by the environment and are in control of someone else. To attain a state of hypnosis, it requires a leader/ hypnotist who captures your full attention and is at liberty to control your actions. The patient/ subject has to be ready to give up control of his or her voluntary actions and be in control of the hypnotist. The professional is able to control the reactions, activities, movements and the overall mood of the individual in the state of hypnosis. Hypnosis has been used in the entertainment and medical fields. In the entertainment industry, hypnotizing participants in reality shows has become a common phenomenon; where by the hypnotizing acts attract a large audience. In the medical field, evidence implies that this transformed state of consciousness can be valuable in surgery operations for those patients who have allergies, specifically, anesthesia allergy. Thence, they are hypnotized in order to mask the sensation of pain and consequently the stimuli of pain removed.
Sleep
Our circadian rhythm allocates for time to sleep and rest. During sleep we are conscious despite the fact that we are not fully aware of our environment. Sleep is a substate of consciousness that minimizes surrounding awareness at the same time while the brain is entirely active. Sleep is confirmed to be a state of consciousness because of the fact that the brain waves that can be detected during the rest. During the states of active brainwork, such as when the individuals are awake and alert, the major brain waves are beta waves that are high in frequency but low in intensity (Diener " Teeny, n.d.). In a calm state, alpha waves are mainly the ones that point out to a state of decreasing frequency and steady brain activity (Diener " Teeny, n.d.).
These two waves combined together with theta waves are monitored during sleep, alternating between different stages of the later. There are four existing sleeping stages: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) 1, NREM 2, NREM 3 and the final one known as the REM stage. NREM 1 is the stage where an individual falls asleep. The key waves at this stage are theta waves. The stage 2, NREM2, takes place instantly after NREM 1 and is thought of as light sleep phase, which is linked with the management of the memory. Stage three, NREM 3 is related to muscle relaxation and lastly, Random Eye Movement Stage (REM) is supplementary to having dreams. In terms of brain activity, this one is similar to the state of attentiveness (Diener " Teeny, n.d.). As shown from the level of brain activity and sleep stages, there is low awareness during sleep. Some hypothesis suggests that the REM stage of sleep is a reduced form of High Awareness that is manifested in the form of dreams in sleep. This has however not been proven.
Disorders linked to disruptions of some of these, like the particular sleeping stage, physical, metabolic, mental or purely psychological disorders add to disrupting conditions of sleep as well as the daily rhythm regulating the individuals sleep-to-wake cycle. Sleep apnea, insomnia, sleepwalking, and sleeping terrors are some of the sleeping disorders are outlined as follows.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is an interruption of normal breathing in sleep which occurs continually leading to regular interruption of sleep as one wakes up to regulate his/her breathing. The levels of oxygen in the brain are reduced, signaling that the body is ready to wake up.
Insomnia
Insomnia is described as a struggle or failure to sleep. It may be critically chronic or acute. Acute insomnia refers to the failure to sleep at presupposed time over a little period of time, whereas chronic insomnia is a lengthy trouble, concerned and disturbed sleep occurs for over three nights per week for as a minimum of three months.
Sleepwalking
The scientists refer to the sleepwalking as somnambulism. This is a disorder which is related to the motor activity, such as walking while asleep, which mostly affects children. (Mahowald, n.d.)
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy refers to another sleeping disorder portrayed by the feeling of sleepiness during the day, which is accompanied by a rapid beginning of drowsiness and, sometimes, hallucination. This feeling is unexpected and can be followed with the symptoms of muscle weakness and failure to control the one’s muscles (Dauvilliers, 2008).
Conclusion
It is known that the brain is in charge of consciousness hence in trying to understand the biology of consciousness , various studies have been done to determine which part of the brain is responsible for consciousness. Three main neurons have been shown to play a role in awareness. All the three neurons have their origin from the claustrum, a region in the brain that has constantly proven to be responsible for consciousness. Research into the biology of consciousness is still ongoing however these finding has shown to be the most reliable one to date. In conclusion consciousness is an intrinsic part of human life that determines our wellbeing, interactions with society and the environment as well. It includes awareness levels, sleep and hypnosis.
References
Blahd, W. (2016). Sleep Apnea. WebMD.
Dauvilliers, Y. (2008). Narcolepsy with cataplexy. Pubmed.
Diener, R., " Teeny, J. (n.d.). States of Consciousness. NOBA.
Downey, R. (2018). Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Medscape.
Evans, K. (2009). Understabding Consciousness Part 1. NaturalNews.
Kihlstrom, J. (2003). Hypnosis and Memory. Learning and Memory, 240-242.
Krishnan, V., Williams, S., " Thornton, D. (2014). Where There is Smoke.. There is Sleep Apnea. American College of Chest Physicians, 1673-1680.
Mahowald, M. (n.d.). Sleep Walking. National Sleep Foundation.
National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). What Causes Insomnia. national Sleep foundatio.
Pinker, S. (2007). The Brain: The Mystery of Consciousness. Time.
Roth, T. (2007). Insomnia: Definition, Prevelance, Etiology, and Consequences. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 7-9.
