| RESEARCHED BY Serena
| WRITTEN BY Ritika Jayaprakash
| EDITED BY Yushu
Introduction
In the media, hypnosis is frequently represented as an antagonistic tool capable of creating mindless slaves or compelling people to commit horrific deeds. Modern pop culture depictions of hypnosis include hypnosis scenes in The Simpsons, a Pokemon character with trance-inducing abilities, and hypnosis in the psychological thriller "Get Out." People may believe that hypnosis is a bad thing since it is frequently shown as such in popular media. However, this is not the case. Skeptics frequently question whether hypnosis works on the brain. Is hypnosis a therapeutic practice or a scam? What exactly is hypnosis, and how does it differ from what is shown in the media?
History
Hypnosis has been used in many cultures for a long period of time. But it wasn't popular until the year 1843 when a Scottish surgeon Dr.James Braid popularized the term “hypnosis” (Cummins). The idea that “concentration can guide the brain towards a more suggestible state - was and remains controversial” (Cummins).
What is Hypnosis?
According to Willamson’s article “What is Hypnosis and How It Might Work”, he defines hypnosis as a “waking state of awareness”, through which a person is detached from his or her environment and is occupied by internal feelings such as cognition and imagination (Williamson). In other words, it includes immense focus and involvement to which imagination feels real (4). According to Dr.David Spigel, a psychiatrist at Stanford University and leading researcher in the field of hypnosis, it is a “non-judgemental immersive experience”(Cummins). Even though it is quite controversial, there has been a lot of research that is being done. We also go through “trance” states in everyday life where we get lost in a good book or our thoughts etc(4). But one does not necessarily lose all awareness of the outside world when doing so (4). So we can think of hypnosis to be an extreme case of the trance state that we experience often but surprisingly it can be used for good.
How is it used?
Hypnosis can be viewed as a meditative state that is possible to reach consciously and intentionally for therapeutic purposes(4). According to Mayo Clinic, hypnosis can help with:
Controlling pain: It can reduce pain by way of suggestibility and was previously experimented on as a substitute for anesthesia(Mayo Clinic).
Hot flashes: Hypnosis can reduce hot flashes of plummeting moods that are associated with menopause (2).
Change in Behavior: It can rectify behavioral issues such as sleep problems, overeating, and habitual behaviors like smoking(2).
Mental health conditions: Hypnosis can ease anxiety, fears, and phobias. Some disorders that have been observed to be lessened by hypnosis include anxiety, smoking, insomnia, panic attacks, migraines, obesity, stuttering, and more(2).
How is it done?
As already said, Hypnosis is something we experience often like daydreaming without direct induction. Clinical Hypnosis is the intentional induction of such trance-like states but more deeply to offer therapeutic guidance.
It's important to remember that a hypnotic trance can only be induced with the subject's consent. Hypnosis is a voluntary state, so cooperation is crucial in a therapeutic setting. This means that you don't have to worry about being hypnotized against your will, as you will always be in control. According to a study, about two-thirds of adults are susceptible to hypnosis, which means they can enter into such a state more easily(Cummins).
The process of hypnosis involves hypnotic induction a process of concentrating one's attention(4). There are several techniques for inducing hypnosis, including the use of a candle flame or computer screen as a visual focal point, music, chanting, or mantras as auditory focuses, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as a primarily kinaesthetic focus(4).
An alternative method is the use of revivification or re-experiencing of an experience, daydream, or fantasy to engage the patient's imagination(4). With a therapist's guidance – hypnosis may be used for therapeutic purposes or casual conversation(4). The utilization of hypnosis in the above scenario, with appropriate skill and technique, can significantly aid in the achievement of therapeutic objectives(4).
Dr. Spiegel suggests that much like meditation practice, hypnosis can also be done by individuals themselves(1). It is more common than we think. hypnosis is practiced through popular apps like Calm and Reveri or Headspace, users are exposed to recordings that guide them into a hypnotic state(1). According to Spiegel, entering and exiting these mental states is something we do all the time, but in hypnosis, it happens more frequently(1).
What happens during hypnosis?
Although it predominantly remains a mystery, brain-imaging studies help us understand hypnosis better. According to Spiegel, during hypnosis, the activity in a brain region that is responsible for switching between tasks in individuals decreases(1). This same region seems to disconnect from another area responsible for self-reflection and daydreaming, which could be why people under hypnosis are not concerned about who they are or what they are doing(1). “Researchers have also found that hypnosis can calm brain regions that help control autonomic functions like heart rate, blood flow, and breathing”(1). This is most likely the reason for the physical relaxation that is frequently seen during hypnosis, says Dr. Spiegel (1).
Risks of hypnosis
Hypnosis, provided by a qualified healthcare professional, can be a safe and effective medical treatment as a supplement or alternative(2). However, it may not be suitable for individuals with severe mental illness(2). While harmful side effects of hypnosis are rare, they may include dizziness, headaches, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety, discomfort, and sleep disturbances (2). If using hypnosis to address past traumas or difficult situations, it is important to be cautious as it may trigger a strong emotional response.
Misconceptions
It is a common misconception to view hypnosis as a magical way to recover lost memories and control people (3). Research has shown that hypnosis does not make individuals lose control of their minds (3). Many hypnosis practitioners have been criticized for promoting such stereotypes, which can lead to accusations of abuse.
Conclusion
To answer the research question, yes hypnosis does work on the brain. But there is a lot to consider in this topic including misconceptions. To address this issue, hypnosis experts should be more aware of the potential for misinterpretation and adopt an approach that emphasizes the similarities between hypnotic practices and everyday behavior (3). It is also important to approach hypnosis with caution, for everyone’s good.
Resources
Cummins, Eleanor. “How Hypnosis Works, according to Science.” Time, 28 Apr. 2022, time.com/6171844/how-hypnosis-works/.
Mayo Clinic. “Hypnosis - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hypnosis/about/pac-20394405.
Wagstaff, Graham F. “Hypnosis and the Law.” Criminal Justice and Behavior, vol. 35, no. 10, Oct. 2008, pp. 1277–1294, https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854808321669. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
Williamson, Ann. "What Is Hypnosis and How Might It Work?" Palliative Care, vol. 12, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1177/1178224219826581. Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.
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