How is it that people can describe something or someone in great detail when hypnotized which they wouldn’t have been able to remember otherwise?
What goes on in the brain during Hypnosis?
In: Biology
I’m a researcher: there are two competing perspectives in research about hypnosis. Some (a majority) say hypnosis is three things: 1. Relaxation 2. Focused Attention 3. Decreased peripheral awareness. The “other side” say that hypnosis is a state of consciousness, called “trance” which can be induced in some people and not in others, for reasons we don’t fully understand.
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It really depends on your definition of “works.” Real hypnotists just put you in a very calm relaxed state. It’s easier to communicate and think when you’re calm. But you probably won’t remember things youve forgotten or repressed.
Certified Hypnotherapist here.
Hypnosis AKA “trance” is a natural state our brains go into many times per day.
It’s like a really deep state of daydreaming but instead of your mind wandering it is guided by the practitioner to completely visualize and feel whatever benefit and change you want.
For example completely convincing yourself that you are a non-smoker.
If this is done with enough emotional intensity or repetition with lower emotional intensity it will create lasting changes.
So simply put, hypnosis is like opening a window into the subconscious part of your mind that usually runs on autopilot.
So if you install new upgraded programs into the subconscious while the window is open… things will improve.
But “opening the window” doesn’t do anything in by itself other than make you feel relaxed.
There is a brain state where there is an very specific pattern of theta waves. That brain state is associated with deep relaxation or “zoning out”. What is most interesting is that when you are in that state, you (oversimplifying) have a more direct connection between input and autonomic reaction. In other words, given a stimulus you respond automatically without thought.
There are a few different ways to invoke the theta state:
* Hypnosis
* Mediation/Prayer
* This idea of [“Flow”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology))
* The idea of “presence” in gaming/VR/etc. This is when you are making movements, etc. without thinking. This was actually my area of research.
In the context of hypnosis, there is some thought that being in a theta state may lower your normal defensiveness by creating a stimulus/response loop outside of conscious thought. Thus people lose their inhibitions and do what’s suggested. But reaching this state is unlikely during a stage hypnosis show.
Hypnosis is kind of a convoluted catch-all term. Let’s divide it in two. First, stage hypnosis, which tends to rely on peer pressure and theatrics, is mostly used by charlatans who purely want to entertain. Second, hypnotherapy, which is the the use of hypnosis for therapeutic means across diverse contexts. It is important to know that not everyone can be hypnotized and you cannot be hypnotized if you don’t want to be. Regarding your questions, hypnosis is a state of extreme relaxation without unconsciousness. Many of the brain waves emitted in hypnosis are identical to those in regular sleep, however there is still often a conscious element in hypnosis not found in sleep (Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep, from which hypnosis gets its name). The issue of memory is complicated, especially from a research perspective, but one theory is that the majority of our memories are subconscious and hypnosis tends to meld the subconscious and conscious parts of the mind together so that memories flow much more easily. Another thought is that the blood in the brain during periods of extreme relaxation flows away from the brain stem and to the prefrontal cortex. Basically, the back of your brain governs extreme fight or flight stuff while the front part is higher thinking, creativity, and personality, which tend to be also closer to your memory. Thus, without any of the stresses of day to day life, it’s easier to remember things. If you were at the absolute peak of comfort then it makes sense that you would be at your best in terms of remembering things. It is important to note, though, that memories are subject to human imagination as much as anything else. We are interpreters not recorders.
Hi everybody!
This is not a universal experience thread like usual. It is actually fairly rare to be hypnotized. However, one of the lesser known side-effects of hypnotism is that 100% of people who have been hypnotized will tell you about it, apparently.
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