The Response Of The Body To Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been defined as a normal physiological state of consciousness that is both similar and different from being awake and being asleep. It is produced by the presence of a central focus of attention and surrounding areas of inhibition.

Hypnosis produces three responses in the body.

First, there is increased concentration. During our normal "awake" state our mind is scattered, and any suggestions made will go scattering as well. When you are in a hypnotic trance, the mind is focused, so things that are suggested get absorbed and retained easier.

Second, the body is more relaxed. Most hypnotic induction starts with progressive muscular relaxation techniques. These techniques involving tensing specific muscles and relaxing to achieve a fully relaxed body and mind.

Third, there is an increased susceptibility to suggestion. This comes from the first two, where the mind is concentrated and the body is relaxed. The mind becomes high receptive to suggestions. It is also able to imagine and see things more clearly. Critical analysis is reduced; however, a person never loses complete control of their functions.

Our mind has several physiological levels: the conscious, the subconscious, and the unconscious. These also represent the different states of wakefulness and can be defined as alert, daydreaming, moderate trance, deep trance, and normal sleep. Alert is the normal state where both mind and body are awake. Daydreaming is a light trance state where the body is relaxed and the mind is withdrawn into your self and is imagining an activity. In a moderate trance your eyes are closed and you are less aware of your surroundings and more aware of yourself, and have increased imagery and suggestibility. In a deep trance your body is fully relaxed and limp and your attention is narrowed. You have high suggestibility and illusions seem real. During normal sleep all voluntary activities are stopped and you have reduced or absent consciousness.

Daydreaming, moderate trance, and deep trance are all different stages of hypnotic trance. During this time you are more susceptible to suggestions, though the amount of which varies from person to person. One person may be more suggestible in a light trance than another. It usually will take multiple sessions for an idea to take completely, though this number will also vary from one person to the next.

When in a hypnotic trance the suggestions are usually positive, with directions that the subject will want to continue upon re-achieving an alert state. These suggestions are implanted in the subconscious, and as they continue to be repeated during multiple sessions will eventually become accepted by the conscious mind. By keeping the suggestions positive, the subconscious mind is more likely to accept them, and then can use them to counteract negative thoughts and images that are holding the subject back from achieving his or her goals.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can be useful tools in modifying behavior and getting rid of bad habits. It can even be used to induce deeper responses of the body and stimulate healing responses for pain and illnesses.

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