Join us on CSS Breakdown: Book by Book for Season 07, Episode 06, as we explore Chapter 6: Consciousness from Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology 15th Edition. This episode delves into what consciousness truly is, from our everyday awareness to fascinating altered states of consciousness. We'll unpack the differences between the monitoring and controlling functions of consciousness, and explore concepts like preconscious memories, the unconscious (including Freudian slips), automaticity, and dissociation. Get ready for an in-depth look at sleep and dreams, covering the stages of sleep (NREM and REM), the opponent-process model of sleep and wakefulness, common sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and apnea, and various theories of dreaming, from Freud's wish fulfillment to cognitive perspectives. We then shift to meditation and hypnosis, examining how these practices can alter our mental state and their potential uses, including the intriguing concept of the hidden observer. Finally, we'll navigate the complex world of psychoactive drugs—depressants (like alcohol), opiates (like heroin), stimulants (like amphetamines and cocaine), cannabis, and ecstasy—discussing their effects on consciousness, the dangers of drug dependence and misuse, and their underlying biochemical mechanisms. We also touch upon the highly debated psi phenomena, including extrasensory perception (telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition) and psychokinesis, and the scientific challenges in proving their existence, such as the ganzfeld procedure and the file-drawer problem. Tune in to enhance your understanding of the intricate workings of the human mind!