Which substance is a depressant that disrupts memory formation during REM sleep and lowers inhibition?

Conquer the New CED – Sleep and Drugs Test. Study with flashcards and questions that provide insights and explanations. Get ready to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which substance is a depressant that disrupts memory formation during REM sleep and lowers inhibition?

Explanation:
Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, slowing brain activity. This slowing particularly disrupts REM sleep, a stage important for consolidating new memories, so memory formation is impaired and people can experience memory gaps or blackouts. At the same time, alcohol lowers inhibition by dampening activity in the frontal brain regions, which reduces self-control and can lead to more impulsive behavior. Among the options, stimulants like caffeine and cocaine raise arousal and do not disrupt REM-based memory formation. Heroin is also a depressant, but its effects aren’t as closely tied to REM-specific memory disruption and disinhibition as alcohol is.

Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, slowing brain activity. This slowing particularly disrupts REM sleep, a stage important for consolidating new memories, so memory formation is impaired and people can experience memory gaps or blackouts. At the same time, alcohol lowers inhibition by dampening activity in the frontal brain regions, which reduces self-control and can lead to more impulsive behavior. Among the options, stimulants like caffeine and cocaine raise arousal and do not disrupt REM-based memory formation. Heroin is also a depressant, but its effects aren’t as closely tied to REM-specific memory disruption and disinhibition as alcohol is.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy