Hypnosis as an Altered State of Consciousness + Brain Waves
What's Hypnosis?
To understand hypnosis, we first must understand the role of the unconscious mind. Our unconscious is the part of our mind that influences our behaviors, thought patterns, attitudes, beliefs, and many other internal processes. Unlike the conscious mind, our subconscious mind is outside of our awareness. The unconscious mind is believed to make up 95% of our functioning (Williams, 2020) and is responsible for 95% of the decisions we make (Pradeep, 2010).
Hypnosis is a powerful organic tool that works with the power of the unconscious mind to change our emotions, habits, motivations, thought patterns, beliefs, attitudes, and undesired behaviors. We go into hypnosis every day when we zone out, daydream, and right before we fall asleep and before we wake up. This is also known as the state of Theta. Theta brain waves operate on a low vibrational frequency. Free-flow thinking and the meditative state take place during Theta. When we are in hypnosis or Theta, we are open to suggestions that allow us to bypass the critical filter, or analytical mind to reprogram our unconscious.
According to leading trauma expert, Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., we can utilize the trance states for therapeutic purposes. In trance or the hypnotic state, theta brain waves are dominant and we can assign new meaning to specific, distressing stimuli to create new, positive associations. In his #1 New York Times Best Seller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Dr. Van Der Kolk provides the example of war veterans becoming activated, or “triggered” by loud bangs and cracks that remind them of gunfire. Through hypnosis, the practitioner can create a new association between the distressing stimuli to something more positive, such as time spent with family, and watching fireworks (2014).
Hypnosis is a natural state of selective, focused attention, and, even though it is 100% natural and normal, it remains one of the most fascinating phenomena of the human mind. Our ability to enter this unique state of consciousness opens the door to countless possibilities for healing, self-exploration and change. When we enter into the absorbed state of hypnosis, we can use our thoughts, talents and experiences in ways not usually available to us. With the help of a trained professional, we can develop innate, individual abilities that enable making desired changes in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors possible. For reasons that are as yet not clear, the focused state of hypnosis allows changes to intentionally be made “automatically”, changes that we could not ordinarily consciously make. Hypnosis has been used effectively to address
pain management
sleep problems
natural childbirth
mood improvement
mindset shift
anxiety
stress
habit disorders
trauma
anger
FAQ's:
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Some people find it easier to relax than others. Even for those people (maybe 10-15%) who do not enter into even a light trance state, hypnosis may still be helpful to assist their relaxation and improve their suggestibility to constructive comments and suggestions.
Will I be asleep or unconscious?
Hypnosis is NOT sleep state. If a person were to fall asleep
during a session, they would return to normal consciousness when asked, or simply awaken after a short nap. They would feel refreshed, relaxed and would have no ill effects at all.
Will I lose control of myself?
No, there is no loss of control. Hypnosis allows clients to be more focused and less distractible and more skillful in using their own mental abilities constructively. In this way, they can achieve more of their goals, and consequently, actually achieve more (not less) control of their personal comfort, health, and well-being.
Can I get stuck or trapped in the hypnotic state?
No. At any time a client can re-alert or choose to ignore suggestions. No one stays hypnotized indefinitely – you will always “come out” of the trance within a short time.