And how does it work?
There seems to be a common thread of uncertain or misinformed ideas about what hypnosis and how it works among people I speak with. Many believe they can not be hypnotized for one reason or another. Truth is we experience the hypnotic state more often than we might be aware, twice a day in fact, when we go to sleep and when we wake up. This is when our brain waves slow down to what is called the theta frequency. Its also that day dreamy, focused and oblivious to everything a round us place we go when we are lost in a book or movie. The therapeutic world often uses the term, "hypnotic state" or "hypnotic trance". These terms may sound a bit scary or mysterious to you. They did to me at first. Once you understand more, they loose their mystery and you begin to realize they are just descriptive terms after all.
Our brains have four levels or speeds of operation. They sound confusing and complicated but are actually quite simple. The fastest and most common level is the beta frequency. This is where our brain is when we are awake and thinking. Here the brain cycles at between 14-30 Hz or cycles per second. Our executive thinking functions are in place and filter or control our beliefs, values and ethics. We can not reach our subconscious at this level.
The next level or brain wave speed is called alpha. This is slower at between 8-13 Hz and where we are when we are relaxing after a days work and even during a daydream. We tend to be our most creative and inspired in this state. The conscious mind becomes less dominant and the subconscious begins to come more active at this level.
Theta is the third brain wave state or level with a slower frequency of 4- 7 Hz. This is where the subconscious comes to the forefront and we zone out when playing sports, watch TV, drive down a familiar road without paying much attention. The theta is also known as the hypnotic state. Here we are deeply relaxed and yet have focused attention. Hypnotherapist describe this level as the "trance state". Athletes call it "being in the zone". Mom used to call it "not listening".
When our brains we go lower than 4 Hz to 1.5 Hz we are in the fourth level, or delta state. Sleep usually is about the middle of this range, around 2-3 Hz. If we go too low, we are unconscious and when there is no brain wave activity we are considered brain dead. If a person goes to sleep during hypnosis the brain activity slows enough to lose focused attention so you will not remember anything.Not remembering anything is the worst thing that can happen in a hypnosis session.
The ideal level for a good hypnosis session is a deep Theta state. This is where we can best work with the subconscious mind. This is where we store all the of our life's experiences. there is no right or wrong, just the experience. The right and wrong or our reaction to experience takes place in the higher functioning levels of the brain. By relaxing down to Theta, we are able to bypass the part of the brain that tells us how to think and work only with the experiences. Our higher minds have told us how to react to our life's experience and this is what causes up discomfort and pain. By working with the subconscious we can rewrite or change the way see these experiences and therefor change our lives, all with out drugs or invasive treatments.
For example, you have a big test or job interview coming up. Your are anxious about doing well, perhaps from a past experience that was not as pleasant as you would have liked. Working with the subconscious through hypnosis can be a great benefit, helping you to change the way you see this future event, feel relaxed, and have renewed confidence in your knowledge and abilities. Hypnosis can help in virtually limitless ways.
Are you feeling better about this now? Is it less frightening? Ok, lets move on.
The belief that a person can not be hypnotized is more often than not, simply not true. However ones belief, ability to relax and have rapport with the therapist has much to do with how easily they can reach that deep hypnotic theta level during a session. Keep in mind that you, the client is ALWAYS in control. I've had people joke with about being made to bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken or visa versa. This type of activity is usually reserved for the stage hypnosis and for entertainment purposes only.
Truth is, even with a hypnotic entertainer, a person can not and will not do anything against their will or basic beliefs. You are safe and not under anyone's control at any time! All hypnosis is actually self hypnosis. The therapist is little more that a guide or director and will never tell you what to do. It is very much like a guided meditation. Some people may have a bit more trouble reaching a deep theta state the first time they attempt hypnosis only because they are not sure what to expect. Remember that you are always in control, there is nothing to fear so sit or lie back, relax and enjoy. You will be better for it.
