What Is Hypnosis

What is hypnosis? This is one question that has perplexed many a layman. Hypnosis is a state of inner concentration and focused attention. It is the state, in which the electrical activity in the brain is reduced to the alpha range (8-13 Hz).

A healthy human brain operates in four different states, which are determined by the electricity generated by the exchange of chemicals in the neural pathways. The four states of the human brain are

•  Fully Conscious state.
•  Hypnotic state.
•  Dream state.
•  Sleep state

The electrical activity in the brain is the highest in the fully conscious state (14-35 Hz) and the lowest in the sleep state (5-3 Hz).

To understand what is hypnosis; 

We must appreciate the fact that we spend most of our waking hours in the fully conscious state. In this state, our mind is attentive and we use logic to reason, to evaluate, judge, assess and make decisions. In the hypnotic state, the mind is relaxed, yet in a focused state of concentration.

In this state, the brain is more receptive to suggestions. People in the hypnotic state feel relaxed and this happens as the brain, which is in the beta state enters the alpha state. The feeling is comparable to the feeling an individual feels, just before falling off to sleep.

This happens due to the change in the brain wave activity. In the hypnotic state, when the brain is entering the alpha state, individuals feel dreamy and pleasant. The mind becomes relaxed and is very open to visualizations, and suggestions.  The mind’s capacity to create rich sensory experience is increased manifold.

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In Conclusion;

In the hypnotic state, the individual’s capacity to think in the traditional sense gets reduced and the individual is more receptive to suggestions without critically analyzing and reasoning, the experience is similar to what one feels, when watching a movie. Suggestions and statements made by the hypnotist / actors, during this state are more likely to stick, as our conscious mind is switched off.

Unknowingly, we pass through this state on a daily basis, whenever we pass through the upper and the lower alpha range of the brain activity. Here, we go into hypnosis automatically. Even during the fully conscious state, we periodically go into hypnosis, as it happens when we are watching a movie. We suspend all our reasoning, and evaluating abilities and our conscious mind gets bypassed. Many times, when faced with authority such as doctors, teachers, and religious leaders, we suspend our critical judgment. This is also a form of hypnosis.

So, what is hypnosis and how can it help us?  When the critical faculties are bypassed, specific suggestions or thoughts can be lodged permanently in the sub-consciousness.

This has the potential to alter the subject’s behavior in a more positive and permanent way. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used by skilled practitioners, to change their subject’s physiological and neurological functions. Hypnosis also helps in exploring and understanding the underlying causes of various psychological and physiological disorders. It is an important tool used by professionals, to treat phobias and help individuals to deal with past traumas.

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