The Science Behind Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy | What happens inside a hypnotized brain?
Hypnosis isn’t just used for funny sideshows at the fair or silly antics on the silver screen. Hypnotism, or the practice of hypnosis, also has a place in unorthodox forms of therapy. Such therapies that incorporate elements of hypnosis are known as hypnotherapies.
Patients that seek hypnotherapy work are generally looking for a solution to one of two problems: obtaining stress relief or defeating some form of addiction. When applied correctly, hypnotherapy helps fix these issues by clearing a patient’s mind of excessive thoughts or planting new thoughts in a patient’s mind altogether.
To do this, a hypnotherapist first needs to induce a trance-like state onto their subject. During this “trance,” the subject has a heightened sense of concentration and attention. This effect is similar to the feeling of being engrossed in an exciting book, where your focus intensifies on the world in your head — rather than the world around you.
But, not everyone can be brought into this hypnotized trance. In fact, one out of everyone four subjects is unable to be hypnotized and only one in ten subjects are highly susceptible to hypnotism. From a neurological standpoint, a Stanford study showed that the brains of highly hypnotizable subjects have a stronger connection between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. As part of the executive control region, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is in charge of decision making. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex manages attention.
This is important because it shows that highly hypnotizable subjects more effectively bridge the concepts of focus versus behavior. With unhypnotizable subjects, these parts of the brain are activated more independently from one another.
If the subject successfully enters the trance, the hypnotherapist can then begin making hypnotic suggestions. In the context of hypnotherapy against addiction, these suggestions might be advice and encouragement to reduce unhealthy cravings. For hypnotherapy against stress, hypnotherapists can cultivate a sense of calm by suggesting vivid mental pictures of a relaxing environment.
However, without hypnosis, patients can still achieve these same results. The difference with hypnotherapy is that it makes the subject more open to suggestions and makes a definite impact on the brain.
Specifically, hypnosis weakens the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex which contributes to a hypnotized subject’s ability to disconnect from their exterior environment (see paragraph 4). Regions of the brain responsible for self-conscious also weaken. This means a patient might be more willing to say or do things they usually may not say or do. It is important to note that hypnosis cannot make a person do something that they are strongly against. Hypnotism simply amplifies a person’s inclinations to act on their impulses.
Once the session is over, the hypnotherapist will need to bring the subject out of their trance for them to regain their full consciousness. To do this, the most common procedure is to use a countdown followed by some sort of physical activity, like a stretch. Especially for longer hypnotherapy sessions, physical activities help the patient re-associate and “wake up” from their hypnosis.
Legally, hypnosis is allowed in all 50 states in the US and there are little laws or policies that regulate the use of hypnotherapy. Fortunately, the side effects of hypnotism are few and mild, generally ranging from headaches or drowsiness.
The most serious symptom of hypnotherapy is the creation of false memories which can occur when hypnotherapy is used to revisit past trauma. Strong emotions that arise during a hypnotically induced trance have the potential to influence the patient’s memory.
In short, hypnotherapy isn’t for everyone but it does offer a real solution to serious mental health problems for those who do use it. Thanks to growing neurological studies, we can now recognize hypnotism as more than just a placebo effect: there exists a genuine, tangible footprint in the brain during a hypnotic trance.
Brandt, Michelle. “Not Getting Sleepy? Research Explains Why Hypnosis Doesn’t Work for All.” Stanford Medicine, Stanford Medicine, 3 Oct. 2012, med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/10/not-getting-sleepy-research-explains-why-hypnosis-doesnt-work-for-all.html#:~:text=Not%20everyone%20is%20able%20to,those%20who%20can%20easily%20be.
“Hypnosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hypnosis/about/pac-20394405.
Lawson, Carol. “How To Hypnotize Someone For The First Time: Your Step-By-Step Guide.” Hypnosis Training Academy, Hypnosis Training Academy, 12 Nov. 2020, hypnosistrainingacademy.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-hypnotizing-your-first-subject-quickly-and-easily-foundations-of-hypnosis/.
“US State Hypnosis Laws.” IAIH, IAIH, 24 July 2018, www.interpersonalhypnotherapy.com/us-state-hypnosis-laws.
Zimmer, Carl. “Hypnosis Leaves Distinctive Mark on Brain, Scientists Say.” STAT News, STAT, 28 July 2016, www.statnews.com/2016/07/28/hypnosis-psychiatry-brain-activity/.
