How Does Hypnosis Work?
How Does Hypnosis Work?
How does hypnosis work? The answer to this question has changed drastically over the years. Modern brain scanning technology has given us new clues to answer the “How does hypnosis work?” question.
One of the earliest practitioners of hypnosis was Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). He believed that a “fluid” existed in the universe that transmitted magnet and electrical forces as well as light and heat. He thought there was a force between the stars, the earth and each individual. The magnetic effect on humans was called animal (meaning biological) magnetism.
What was his answer to the “How does hypnosis work?” question? By using magnets, he believed he could influence the nervous system of people and bring about cures. This process was called mesmerism in his honor.
Mesmer sought recognition from the Royal Society of Medicine for his new treatments. A panel was convened consisting of an authority on electricity (Benjamin Franklin), a noted chemist (Antoine Lavoisier) and a physician (Joseph-Ignace Guillotin who also invented the guillotine). They heard the claims of Mesmer but rejected the idea of animal magnetism and thought the results were due merely to suggestion and imagination.
Mesmerism did, however, foster the view that the person using the magnets (the magnetizer) had power or dominance over the subject. Many people today still think of hypnosis as control of the hypnotist over the subject. And, many religious people reject hypnotism because they believe they are giving “power” to the hypnotist.
After the demise of animal magnetism, a number of people developed theories that answered the “How does hypnosis work?” question differently. Most people believed that suggestion and imagination had their effect on the nervous system. Here are several examples:
- Ambroise-Aguste Liebeault (1823-1904) believed the mind could be influenced through attention, suggestion and imagination. He practiced in France near the city of Nancy and is considered by many to be the father of modern hypnotism.
- William James (1842-1910) conceived of a normal or waking consciousness and a subliminal consciousness. He believed that during hypnosis the walking consciousness became dormant allowing the subliminal consciousness to be readily accessed.
- Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) believed the cerebral cortex of the brain influenced the body via a primary signaling system. Like sleep, during hypnosis the cerebral cortex becomes “inhibited.” Hypnosis causes some portions of the cerebral cortex to remain active and responsive to suggestions.
- Pierre Janet (1859-1947) believed that hypnosis was not simply a form of sleep but a completely different brain-mind state in which the individual’s memory become disassociated.
- Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980) believed the unconscious mind has great potential if it can be tapped. But, the conscious mind is often the gatekeeper that holds us back. Hypnosis can be used to mobilize the unconscious mind to break through barriers to make the potential become actual. Erickson developed the concept of indirect suggestions in which stories are used that contain hints of certain possibilities that the unconscious mind can actualize.
How Does Hypnosis Work? Current Research Shows How
How Does Hypnosis Work? PET Scans Provide a Clue
Modern research into how hypnosis works on the brain has made use of techniques such as MRIs, PET scans and EEGs. We can now look at which parts of the brain are active during hypnosis.
This type of investigation provides an entirely different answer to the question, “How does hypnosis work?” By looking at brain activity we get a clearer understand of how hypnosis works.
It is clear that hypnosis is not a form of sleep in which much of the brain is inactive.
Modern brain research shows that the left hemisphere appears to become more active as a trance is induced, but as trance deepening occurs the left hemisphere becomes inhibited. PET imaging shows that it is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex which become inhibited. This is where deliberate conscious thinking such as regulation and planning occur.
This could help explain a phenomenon called trance logic in which illogical possibilities can be accepted while in a trance. An example of this was demonstrated in 1959 by Dr. Martin T Orne. He had a qualified hypnotist work with several subjects. Half the subjects were told to resist hypnosis and only pretend to be hypnotized. Each person was told to “see” Jack sitting in an empty chair. Everyone agreed that Jack was in the chair. When the real Jack actually showed up those faking hypnosis said it wasn’t really Jack. Those who were actually hypnotized were surprised, but accepted that this also was Jack.
Hypnosis also changes how various parts of the brain communicate with each other, often disrupting communication. There is evidence that the brain centers involved in sensing pain are temporarily disassociated from the areas of the brain that evaluate pain. This allows hypnosis to be helpful in reducing sensations of chronic pain as well as temporary pain of an operation and even childbirth.
One modern research study in the journal Anesthesiology reported on brain activity of subjects in a resting state, using mental imagery and in a hypnotic state. They were exposed to thermal stimulation of the hand of both a warm and a hot temperature. In the non-hypnotic states with the hot stimulus the main brain stimulation was observed in the insular cortex with less stimulation to the orbitofrontal cortex. Under hypnosis the hot stimulus stimulated the anterior cingulate cortex, right and left caudate and left putamen. Subjects exposed to the hot stimulus reported significantly less pain and less unpleasantness in the hypnotic state.
While much research has been done, more needs to be done.
So, can we answer the question, “How does hypnosis work?”
We know a lot more than we did. The brain under hypnosis is not similar to the wakening state, nor is it similar to the sleeping state. People in hypnosis are not simply playing a role. Brain activity under hypnosis even differs from brain activity under hypnosis when receiving and processing suggestions.
Unfortunately, each answer raises new questions and offers opportunities for more research. Perhaps when we find all the answers to the question “How does the brain work?” we will finally understand the answers to the question “How does hypnosis work?”
How Does Hypnosis Work? Try it Yourself
The best way to learn how does hypnosis work is to experience hypnosis. You can enter a hypnosis trance and get a better feel about this issue. Download the hypnosis session that will finally answer the question How does hypnosis work? once and for all.
Too many people have ideas about hypnosis without actual experience. They hear rumors and believe them. But, do the people spreading rumors actual know about hypnosis?
Probably not.
So, you have an opportunity to learn first hand, in the comfort of your own home. Experience a hypnotic trance. Learn what it feels like. Understand how you are totally in control at every point.
Then you will really know how does hypnosis work. Give it a try today.
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