Why does Hypnosis work? This question has puzzled scientists for many decades. As with any scientific puzzle, numerous explanations have been advanced.

  Physiological explanations have taken one of three main forms:

·         Parasympathetic Nervous System Activation

·         Brain-Wave Patterns

·         Complex Interaction of both Brain Hemispheres

  We will look at each of these briefly to better understand the life-altering phenomenon of Hypnosis.

EXPLANATION #1: Activation of the 
Parasympathetic Nervous System

 In man, as in all mammals, there are two nervous systems: the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The central nervous system regulates motor responses to sensory impressions via the brain and spinal cord. The autonomic nervous system regulates the internal systems. These internals systems are usually not under our voluntary control. They include the heart beat, pulse, glandular activity and digestive processes.

Within the autonomic system are two divisions. These two systems are in direct opposition to each other. The first is the sympathetic division. It is responsible for mobilizing the body's energies to meet emergencies. For example, it causes the heart to beat faster and more strongly, the blood pressure to rise, respiration to accelerate. It releases blood sugar from the liver and adrenalin from the adrenal glands.

LET'S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE

   The condition of "stage fright" is an apt example of the sympathetic nervous system in action. Stage fright includes the following physiological responses: knees and hands shake, heart beats faster and faster, perspiration increases on the palms and face, the stomach has unpleasant fluttering or hollow feeling. These symptoms are caused by the sympathetic nervous system's response to the person's fear of standing before a group. This constitutes an "emergency" situation and the body prepares for a fight or flight response.

In direct opposition to this is the parasympathetic response. The parasympathetic division slows the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, produces visceral responses typical of periods of rest and relaxation. The parasympathetic responds in such a way as to restore the calm operation of the organism. It conserves the body's energy.

HOW CAN BOTH OPERATE
 AT THE SAME TIME?

   These two systems -- the sympathetic and the parasympathetic -- cannot both be active in the same body at the same time. Hence, utilizing Hypnosis to activate the parasympathetic response of relaxation BEFORE the sympathetic response of arousal can begin, is one approach to eliminating the problem.

Additionally, removing the fear stimulus reduces the sympathetic response. So, if the fear stimulus can be reduced enough -- while the relaxed, calm response is being heightened -- success becomes even more imminent.

NOW BACK TO OUR EXAMPLE ...

   So, as an example with stage fright: Hypnosis would be used in a calm atmosphere. The subject would be taught relaxation away from the actual stage. Once the subject is able to achieve a calm state -- a state of strong parasympathetic response -- she will be asked to imagine looking at the stage. This is an action which might increase sympathetic response. However, since the parasympathetic activity is so strong, the subject will be able to stay relaxed while imagining that she is looking at the stage.

The sympathetic response is not triggered.

Then, the Hypnotized subject might be asked to imagine herself walking toward the stage. Again, she is doing this in the safety of the distant setting and can imagine herself calmly walking toward the stage.

Again, the sympathetic response is not triggered.

Then, the Hypnotized subject might be given further relaxation instructions and Hypnosis-deepening directions. Then, she might be requested to imagine herself walking onto the stage. Once again, because the parasympathetic response is so strong and directly opposes a sympathetic response, the sympathetic response remains absent.

And so on through rehearsal of actual walking onto the stage and speaking to the audience. This, too, is successfully performed by the subject because the parasympathetic response continues to provide the subject with the desired control.

 Can you see how the truth of the matter is that the autonomic nervous system IS controlled voluntarily? Through the use of Hypnosis we can beneficially create autonomic nervous system control!

EXPLANATION #2: Patterns of
 Brain-Wave Activity

 Research suggests that the Hypnotic state creates changes in the Brain-Wave of the subject. Changes in Brain Wave vastly affects human behavior.

There are four patterns of brain-wave activity. These waves can be graphically represented by use of the electroencephalograph (EEG).

THE BETA BRAIN-WAVE STATE (14-30 cps) --

 The normal, awake, conscious activity of the brain is the beta brain-wave state. The beta state is high and rapid.It is a state of full alertness, physical activity and excitement. Emotional sensations in the beta state include anger, worry, fear, anxiety, tension, surprise, hunger and, as stated above, excitement.

 A transition occurs with the onset of Hypnosis. As the Hypnotic subject begins to relax, an alpha brain-wave state is achieved.

THE ALPHA BRAIN-WAVE STATE (8-13 cps) --

 The alpha state is state of beginning relaxation. The graphs of the alpha state show high frequency, low amplitude brain waves. In this state, the mind is relaxed but alert. It is a state of passive awareness, composure, of physical and mental relaxation. Emotional sensations in the alpha state include a sense of well-being, pleasure and tranquility.

 Some electroencephaolographers differentiate alpha waves in Hypnosis from those of the brain-wave patterns in the waking state and in the sleep state. Alpha brain-wave patterns and Hypnotizability correlations were found in 1968. This discovery ushered in a new era in Hypnosis research.

 WHICH BRAIN-WAVE STATES
ARE INVOLVED?

Hypnosis has been shown to span the alpha to alpha-theta to theta brain-wave states. In research studies, hypnosis has been shown to involve a change from the alert beta state to a predominantly alpha-theta state (Kissin B., Psychobiology of Human Behavior: Vol. 1. Conscious and Unconscious Programs in the Brain, NY: Plenum Medical Book, 1986). There is strong evidence for a continuum between normal waking states through relaxed states ( with predominantly alpha activity) to profound hypnotic states (where theta activity is most prominent).

These same scientists describe an alpha-theta state. This state is one of the states reached by subjects in Hypnosis. Artists, musicians and athletes are all prolific producers of alpha-theta brainwave patterns.

   Zen monks, individuals using self-Hypnosis and some experienced meditators have learned with training and discipline to enter the alpha-theta state of consciousness at will. Research has indicated that, while in the alpha brain-wave state, a person is capable of accelerated learning, healing of psychosomatic illnesses, increased creativity and memory improvement.

THE THETA BRAIN-WAVE STATE ( 4-8 cps) --

 The theta state is one of tranquility, creativity and very deep relaxation. Emotional sensations experienced in the theta state include restful alertness, uncertainty, daydreaming and deep tranquility.

 The advent of EEG spectral analysis in 1970 led to even more studies. This research revealed the existence of a moderate to strong relationship between theta production and Hypnotizability.  

 W. Vogel and his coworkers D. M. Broverman and E. L. Klaiber (1968, "EEG and Mental Abilities," Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 24, 166-175) described two types of theta brain-wave states. Theta occurring in Class I inhibition is seen most commonly in a relaxed, drowsy state, whereas theta occurring in Class II inhibition is associated with efficient, automatic and sustained mental performance. Class II theta appears to reflect a selective inattention that increases efficiency in problem solving, perceptual processing and memory retention. This form of theta is seen in the later stages of Hypnosis.

HOW DO EXPERIENCED SUBJECTS PERFORM?

   Experienced Hypnotic subjects were shown to demonstrate higher levels of theta activity both during the waking state and during trance than did inexperienced controls (A. K. Tebecis, 1975, "A Controlled Study of EEG During Transcendental Meditation: Comparison with Hypnosis," Folio Psychiatrica et Neurological Japonica, 29, 305-313). This, without showing any significant differences in the level of theta between the waking or the hypnotized subjects.

It would appear that exercises or meditation techniques that emphasize relaxation and comfort (such as TM) may be more likely to produce Class I theta as the subjects relax and become drowsy. In contrast, Hypnotic procedures or meditative techniques that emphasize selective attention ro performance of a particular task appear to be more likely to produce Class II theta (D. L. Schacter, 1977, "EEG Theta Waves and Psychological Phenomena: A Review and Analysis," Biological Psychology, 5, 47-82).

THE DELTA BRAIN-WAVE STATE (.05-4 cps) --

    The delta state is the brain-wave state experienced in the deepest stages of sleep. It is a state of total unawareness, of unconsciousness. There are no feelings in this state, hence no emotional sensations are associated with the delta state. The delta brain-wave state is not reached in Hypnosis.

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Perhaps you can now visualize ways to purposefully utilize brain-wave states to create benefit in your life? Would you benefit from enhanced creativity? memory improvement? complete relaxation? tranquility? accelerated learning? a sense of well-being? All of these can be yours! Hypnosis automatically brings these benefits into your experience.

EXPLANATION #3: Is It Dominant & 
Non-Dominant Brain Hemispheres

     The research on hemispheric function in Hypnosis are complex and the results are conflicting. In the past few years, several investigators have suggested that trance behavior is isomorphic with, and therefore presumably originates with, the abilities and behaviors of the right hemisphere of the brain. These investigators suggest that during Hypnosis the right hemisphere is more dominant than the left, while in waking states the left is more dominant.

 While there is evidence that hemispheric activity patterns change in different states of Hypnosis, recent reviews and hypotheses about the functions of the brain suggest that the above view is oversimplified. Hence, it is concluded that it is probably a combined interaction of the dominant and nondominant brain hemispheres that is responsible for the successful results achieved in Hypnosis.

HOW DO ALL ASPECTS INTEGRATE?

     Although the hemispheres are specialized for different aspects, complex brain function ultimately involves the integration of all aspects. Complex tasks involving rapid alteration between left and right hemispheric tasks show that hemispheric dominance can change dramatically in sequence with the tasks. For complex tasks, using both hemispheres provides results that are superior to those achieved by using either hemisphere alone.

 Investigators have found that tasks that involve the hemispheres differentially (verbal vs. imagery tasks) tend to produce differences that are more marked in the Hypnotic state. In addition, evidence supports the notion that the functions of the two hemispheres are associated with the two different types of attention. S. J. Dimond (1979, "Performance by Split Brain Humans on Lateralized Vigilance Tests." Cortex, 15, 43-50) suggested that the left hemisphere is active in selective attention, which is associated with fast habituation, and that the right hemisphere is involved in a state of more general vigilance, which habituates more slowly. Inhibition of the left hemisphere activity rather than increased right hemisphere activity may be a more accurate description of the EEG changes observed in Hypnosis.

DOES HYPNOSIS REQUIRE
 MULTI-STAGE PROCESSING?

     J. Gruzelier (1988, "The Neuropsychology of Hypnosis," in M. Heap (ed.) Hypnosis: Current Clinical, Experimental and Forensic Practices, pp. 68-76, London: Croom Helm) has proposed a multistage process of brain function during Hypnosis. In the first stage of sustained focused attention, there is a relative increase in left hemisphere activity in susceptible subjects. The second stage of "letting go" involves a gradual inhibition of left hemisphere function. This is followed by an increase in right hemisphere activity in the third stage.

 Taken together then, the research studies suggest that changes in lateralization of hemispheric activity do occur in Hypnosis. These studies further suggest that Hypnosis is not a unitary state but a reorganization of ongoing hemispheric and other cerebral relationships. The pattern of such changes depends both on the nature of the tasks and on differences in the way each individual interprets the context in which the task is performed.

SO, WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?

 CONCLUSION: Action involving both hemispheres of the brain can be traced to producing the results observed in Hypnosis. Hence, it can be concluded that much of the phenomena of deep hypnosis is both right- and left-hemispheric behavior, and the deeper the trance, the more likely the subject is to show complex behaviors of both hemispheres.

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 Do you feel reassured and/or more balanced to know that the life-altering benefits of Hypnosis require the use and interaction of all of your brain resources? Can you feel a sense of awe and power at the magical way that the body possesses such phenomenal abilities? The body comes already equipped with all the vital capabilities necessary to create such astounding and valuable effects in our lives!