How Hypnosis Effects The Brain

Hypnosis

May 25

Did you know that neuroscience has shown incredible effects of Hypnosis on the brain? Research from Stanford University discovered that Hypnosis could alter our perception of reality. For instance; If you feel that the world is out to get you (which it’s not, by the way), through the practice of hypnosis, not only can you change your mindset and belief, you can understand why you had that belief structure in the first place. The study was founded by a psychologist named David Spiegel, who stated, “When we think of cognitive function, we usually think of having the power to alter our reasoning, while we passively respond to our perceptions. What if we could do the inverse: manipulate our perception while merely responding to reasoning and language?” It’s a beautiful question. It opens so many doors to self-awareness and discovery that often seem limited.

Throughout his research, he found that Hypnosis can relieve Parkinson’s tremors, promote weight loss, give people the will to stop smoking, and even change perceptions of color. He stated, “You do shift into a different kind of brain function when you go into a hypnotic state; it helps you focus your attention, so you’re not thinking about other things, you have better control of what’s going on in your body, and you’re less self-conscious.” This means that you can experience feelings and memories from a place of observation. Hypnosis allows you to drop your judgment of the self and others to create the change you desire for yourself.

As he conducted his studies, he found decreased activity in the part of the brain that detects stimuli while in Hypnosis, meaning that you are so utterly and completely in the present moment, nothing bothers you. He also found an increased connection between the part of the brain that detects basic survival needs and the part of the brain that holds cognitive functions like memory, attention, and responses. This connection helps the brain process and handle what’s happening. Placing a new hierarchy as you notice a level of importance to each problem.

His team also observed that Hypnosis causes a disconnect from your actions and your awareness of those actions. Meaning that a lot of the time, as humans, we do things without thinking about it. Things like checking your phone, getting your morning coffee, or driving to work. Yes, you are acting on these actions, yet you may not be engaged in the activity; you simply do it. Hypnosis allows disassociation from actions, which means you aren’t judging what you’re doing or what you’re saying. It enables you to process and heal without internal guilt, or judgment, allowing for a higher perception of emotional reaction. Allowing you to become the observer of your circumstances, seeing things from every aspect of the situation. This research profoundly proves the effectiveness of Hypnosis on changing behavior, limiting beliefs, healing from trauma, and recovering from addiction.

Typically people who suffer from trauma and PTSD disconnect from their experiences in order to protect their mental state. Hypnosis has been shown to reconnect clients to their trauma to address and heal from their experience adequately. Within the constructs of our minds is a vast network communicating, preceding, and protecting us. Hypnosis opens up the door to change the subconscious from thinking, “if I’m anxious about everything, then I’m protecting myself from harm” to “I can protect myself without suffering from anxiety”. This research gives hope to internal healing methods without medication or years of psychotherapy. It puts the desired change in the client’s hands, empowering them to heal themselves through their own volition.

This was the first research of its kind. I am exhilarated by his findings and look to the future as more research studies are conducted. I hope you found this information helpful in understanding the effects of Hypnosis on the brain.

Blessings, Emily Wheeler