Page 36 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - Jan-Feb 2018, Vol 27, No 1

36 Hypnosis: Fact or Fiction

Hypnosis: Fact or Fiction

Continued from Page 35

Waves and Hemispheres

In numerous studies, researchers have compared
the physical "body signs" of hypnotic subjects
with those of unhypnotized people. In most of
these studies, the researchers found no
significant physical change associated with the
trance state of hypnosis. The subject's heart rate
and respiration may slow down, but this is due to
the relaxation involved in the hypnotism
process, not the hypnotic state itself.

Do it Yourself!

You don't necessarily need a highly-trained
hypnotist to induce hypnosis. With the proper
relaxation and focusing techniques, almost
everyone can enter a hypnotic state themselves
and make their own suggestions to the
unconscious mind (check out SelfHypnosis.com
to find out how).
Some hypnotism experts hold that all physiological phenomenon, millions of people Typically, self-hypnosis training, as well as
hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Whether a trance state do practice hypnotism regularly, and millions of relaxation and meditation audio tapes, use the
is brought on by a long, boring drive down the subjects report that it has worked on them. In the progressive relaxation method.
highway or by a skilled psychiatrist, the subject next section, we'll look at the most common - Loss of balance - This method creates
is always the one who initiates the trance. In this methods of inducing a hypnotic trance. a loss of equilibrium using slow, rhythmic
view, the hypnotist is only a guide who rocking. Parents have been putting babies to
facilitates the process. You're Getting Sleepy sleep with this method for thousands of years.
There does seem to be changed activity Before hypnotists bring a subject into a
in the brain, however. The most notable data Hypnotists' methods vary, but they all depend on full trance, they generally test his or her
comes from electroencephalographs (EEGs), a few basic prerequisites: willingness and capacity to be hypnotized. The
measurements of the electrical activity of the - The subject must want to be typical testing method is to make several simple
brain. Extensive EEG research has demonstrated hypnotized. suggestions, such as "Relax your arms
that brains produce different brain waves, - The subject must believe he or she can completely," and work up to suggestions that ask
rhythms of electrical voltage, depending on their be hypnotized. the subject to suspend disbelief or distort normal
mental state. Deep sleep has a different rhythm - The subject must eventually feel thoughts, such as "Pretend you are weightless."
than dreaming, for example, and full alertness comfortable and relaxed. Depending on the person's mental state
has a different rhythm than relaxation. If these criteria are met, the hypnotist and personality, the entire hypnotism process
In some studies, EEGs from subjects can guide the subject into a hypnotic trance can take anywhere from a few minutes to more
under hypnosis showed a boost in the lower using a variety of methods. The most common than a half hour. Hypnotists and hypnotism
frequency waves associated with dreaming and hypnotic techniques are: proponents see the peculiar mental state as a
sleep, and a drop in the higher frequency waves - Fixed-gaze induction or eye fixation - powerful tool with a wide range of applications.
associated with full wakefulness. Brain-wave This is the method you often see in movies, In the next section, we'll look at some of the
information is not a definitive indicator of how when the hypnotist waves a pocket watch in more common uses of hypnotism.
the mind is operating, but this pattern does fit the front of the subject. The basic idea is to get the
hypothesis that the conscious mind backs off subject to focus on an object so intently that he For Fun and Profit
during hypnosis and the subconscious mind or she tunes out any other stimuli. As the subject
takes a more active role. focuses, the hypnotist talks to him or her in a In the hypnotism shows of Las Vegas, as well as
Researchers have also studied patterns in low tone, lulling the subject into relaxation. This the traveling hypnotism demonstrations on the
the brain's cerebral cortex that occur during method was very popular in the early days of college circuit, hypnotism is used primarily for
hypnosis. In these studies, hypnotic subjects hypnotism, but it isn't used much today because entertainment purposes. It's an amazing
showed reduced activity in the left hemisphere it doesn't work on a large proportion of the experience watching somebody turn ordinary
of the cerebral cortex, while activity in the right population. people, perhaps your friends or family, into
hemisphere often increased. Neurologists - Rapid - The idea of this method is to outrageous performers. The power of suggestion
believe that the left hemisphere of the cortex is overload the mind with sudden, firm commands. and imagination, and the lowering of inhibition,
the logical control center of the brain; it operates If the commands are forceful, and the hypnotist does make for a fantastic show.
on deduction, reasoning and convention. The is convincing enough, the subject will surrender
right hemisphere, in contrast, controls his or her conscious control over the situation. (Continued on Page 37)
imagination and creativity. A decrease in left- This method works well for a stage hypnotist
hemisphere activity fits with the hypothesis that because the novel circumstance of being up in
hypnosis subdues the conscious mind's front of an audience puts subjects on edge,
inhibitory influence. Conversely, an increase in making them more susceptible to the hypnotist's
right-brain activity supports the idea that the commands.
creative, impulsive subconscious mind takes the - Progressive relaxation and imagery -
reigns. This is by no means conclusive evidence, This is the hypnosis method most commonly
but it does lend credence to the idea that employed by psychiatrists. By speaking to the
hypnotism opens up the subconscious mind. subject in a slow, soothing voice, the hypnotist
gradually brings on complete relaxation and
Whether or not hypnosis is actually a focus, easing the subject into full hypnosis.