Psychology Research Topic

1. Gainesville State College
Psychology 1101 – 4519
November 30, 2010
Researchers:
• Andres Burden
• Dana Farmer
Sleep Study

2. Clinical studies have estimated that the average adult sleeps
7.5 to 8 hours on a daily basis. After years of intensive research and
studying, the sleep function remains unknown; however, abundant
evidence demonstrates that lack of sleep can have serious
consequences, including increased risk of depressive disorders,
impaired breathing, and heart disease. In addition, excessive daytime
sleepiness resulting from sleep disturbance is associated with memory
deficits, impaired social and occupational function. Alcohol and drug
consumption can induce sleep disorders by disrupting the process and
length of sleep states and by altering sleeping behaviors all together.
Sleep Study
INTRODUCTION:

3. To examine how high consumption or frequent use of
substances (drugs, alcohol, caffeine, etc.) may exacerbate sleep
deprivation; and subsequently, to the development of sleeping
disorders. The continuous deprivation of sleep may result in anger,
irritability, anxiety, depression, lack of focusing, and the ability to
concentrate; significantly deteriorating one’s everyday life.
Sleep Study
OBJECTIVE:

4. For our survey, we combined different sleep academic
researches into a survey that targets a randomly selected audience to
study the cause and effect relationship between the side effects of
substance abuse and sleeping behaviors. This survey was designed
with logic to enable us to study the independent and dependable
variables. The audience was encouraged to answer the survey truthfully
as the survey is completely anonymous to the public and researchers.
Our limitation was the fact that we did not know which participant took
the survey, and some behaviors and/or answers remain unexplained
regardless of substance or drug abuse and frequency.
Sleep Study
SURVEY:

5. The data was extracted from the academic survey in a way that would
demonstrate the cause and effect relationship between the independent
and dependant variables. The type of information extracted from reports
included the following:
•Details of study design and inclusion/exclusion criteria.
•Details of the population such as gender, age, ethnicity, and type
of sleep disorder.
•Details of the intervention such as the formulation, dosage, timing,
frequency and duration of administration as well as the type and
frequency of usage of concurrent substances and/or drugs.
•Results obtained for predetermined, question-specific outcomes.
Sleep Study
RESULTS:

6. In addition, a trained reviewer extracted relevant data from a given report
and a second reviewer verified the data that were extracted for that article
for accuracy and completeness. Disagreements between reviewers were
resolved by discussion and consensus.
Sleep Study
RESULTS:

7. After getting over 300 candidates to participate in our research
and carefully analyzing all data, we determined that use of substances
affects the quality and structure of sleeping. We have been able to
prove that frequent users of legal or illegal substances have poor
sleeping experiences, which affects every day life; and subsequently,
the possible development of sleeping disorders. In addition to bad
sleeping behaviors, frequent users also experience a higher level of
irritability, exhaustion, bad temper, depression, and poor concentration
throughout the day. Overall, we have been able to conclude that the
use of unsupervised substances has a negative impact on normal
behaviors by interfering with the communication between nerve cells
and the central nervous system.
Sleep Study
Conclusion:

8. After gathering and analyzing all of our data carefully, we
realized that our subject is a very broad study. Many researchers,
universities, professors, doctors, and scientists have spent years of
intensive research trying to explain the phenomena of sleep. There are
many theories as to the purpose of sleep and how the sleep function
itself works; however, we would like to expand our research or welcome
fellow students to continue our path by explaining the cause and effect
of different hypothesis we gathered after conducting our extensive
research. The most interesting ones are:
Sleep Study
Researches:

9. The most interesting ones are:
• Frequent substance users labeled themselves as uneducated
about the subject. Will promoting educational campaigns perhaps
help to diminish sleeping disorders?
• 75% heavy alcohol users would like to visit a sleeping disorder
center or have been diagnosed with a sleep apnea. Is alcohol one
of the main causes for sleep apnea?
Sleep Study
Researches:

10. The most interesting ones are:
• Frequent substance users labeled themselves as uneducated
about the subject. Will promoting educational campaigns perhaps
help to diminish sleeping disorders?
• 75% heavy alcohol users would like to visit a sleeping disorder
center or have been diagnosed with a sleep apnea. Is alcohol one
of the main causes for sleep apnea?
Sleep Study
Researches: