Hypnotism works by bringing a person into a highly focused and relaxed state, often referred to as a trance. During this state, the person's brain activity changes, enhancing their focus on specific thoughts or suggestions and making them more open to these suggestions. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process and effects:

1. Focused Attention: Hypnosis involves a state of heightened concentration and focus, analogous to being deeply absorbed in an activity like watching a movie. This intense focus allows individuals to block out distractions and concentrate solely on specific thoughts or suggestions 1 2 3.

   

   1

   Harnessing Hypnosis

   00:13:22

   

   2

   Hypnosis and Healing

   00:15:37

   

   3

   Understanding Hypnosis

   00:16:36

   

   4

   Understanding Hypnotherapy

   00:10:48

   

   5

   Hypnosis in Medicine

   00:22:49

   

   6

   Hypnosis Unveiled

   00:10:16

   

   9

   Power of Hypnosis

   00:13:39

2. Altered Brain Activity: Research using functional MRI and EEGs shows that hypnosis changes brain activity. Specifically, it reduces activity in the brain's salience network, which normally acts as an alarm system for distractions. This allows for greater focus. It also increases connectivity between brain regions involved in control and perception, enhancing the ability to influence bodily sensations and emotional states 1 4 5.

3. State of Relaxation: Hypnosis requires a state of deep relaxation, which lowers the brain into alpha and theta wave states, similar to those achieved in meditation. This relaxed state helps bypass the conscious mind’s defenses, making the subconscious more receptive to new information and suggestions 6 3.

4. Self-Hypnosis and Control: Hypnosis is about enhancing self-control rather than losing control. Hypnotherapists guide individuals to control their experiences and sensations, such as pain or anxiety, through focused attention and suggestion. This process is often self-initiated, meaning that the individual has to be willing and open to the experience for it to be effective 1 2.

5. Therapeutic Uses: Clinical hypnosis is employed to address various issues like stress, pain, addictions, and phobias by reprogramming the subconscious mind. This is achieved through repeated sessions that help individuals change their perceptions and responses to certain stimuli or habits 2 7 8.

6. Absorption and Suggestibility: Key components of hypnosis include absorption (narrowing one's focus) and suggestibility (being more open to cues and suggestions). These elements create the conditions necessary for making therapeutic suggestions effective, such as altering pain perception or reducing anxiety 6 7 9.

In summary, hypnotism leverages focused attention, altered brain states, and deep relaxation to make the mind more receptive to positive suggestions, thereby influencing behavior and perception effectively.