When a person enters a hypnotic state, their brain undergoes actual changes. Some brain regions become dormant, while others become more active as the hypnotist guides the person. Here is an overview of the hypnotic state and the brain processes that lead to the observable results:
Understanding of Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness with increased relaxation. This state is characterized by a sharpened focus and increased concentration. Hypnotized people are usually more receptive to suggestions for changing their behavior, but they retain control over what to accept.
A hypnotist can use hypnotherapy to help people control undesirable behaviors and habits like smoking. Hypnotherapy may also help people with anxiety disorders and panic attacks learn coping mechanisms.
Brain Wave Patterns During Hypnosis
The following are the four different brain wave patterns that lead to four levels of consciousness:
- Beta state: active alertness
- Alpha state: relaxed alertness and light hypnosis
- Theta state: daydreaming, light sleep, and deep hypnosis
- Delta state: deep sleep
The brain transitions through these four stages as one falls asleep and wakes up.
People spend most of their time awake in the beta stage. During hypnosis, the brain enters the alpha and theta stages. The person focuses on hypnotic suggestions while putting the beta state’s typical thought processes on hold. As the brain’s processing of sensory information slows down, the unconscious mind becomes accessible.
Hypnotic suggestions are easier to integrate into the mind, and memories are easier to access in the alpha and theta phases. The cortex, where conscious, analytical thought occurs, gives way to structures that control unconscious and emotional processes.
Brain Activity During Hypnosis
Research on the general effects of hypnosis based on brain imaging has shown that hypnosis results in detectable changes in different brain regions. These are the three brain networks that are key in understanding brain activity during hypnosis:
1. The Salience Network
The salience network assesses the importance of the information the brain receives. During hypnosis, a region of the brain’s attention network called the dorsal anterior cingulate becomes less active. The brain decreases constant monitoring of self-awareness and sensory data to focus more on the hypnotic suggestions.
2. The Executive Control Network
The executive control network controls the more sophisticated cognitive processes. These processes include problem-solving, reasoning, and working memory. The executive control network changes its behavior, reflecting the kind of change hypnosis intends to achieve.
The connections of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the insula (part of the executive control network) are strengthened in hypnotized subjects. Better connectivity in a more hypnotizable brain makes it easier for the salience network to influence the activity of the executive control network. During hypnosis, a person can change blood pressure, heart rate, and gastric acid production.
3. The Default Mode Network
The default mode network is the most active network when our brain is daydreaming and not focused on the present moment. Hypnosis alters the functional connections between the executive control network and the default mode network.
This decline in connectivity results in the separation between someone’s behaviors and their awareness of their acts. Such disassociation enables the hypnotized person to act subconsciously to a hypnotist’s suggestions.
These brain alterations explain hypnotic occurrences and behaviors. The following brain regions can be affected by hypnotic suggestion:
- Awareness, sleep, and consciousness
- Emotion, motivation, and impulse control
- Decision-making and reasoning
- Motor management
- Perception of color
- Self-awareness, physical control, and imagery
Find a Hypnotist Near You
Hypnosis is a useful scientific phenomenon. Hypnotherapy may help you achieve a better mental and physical state. Find a hypnotist near you to experience the life-changing benefits of hypnotherapy.
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