Hypnosis: What is it, and does it work?

Hypnosis involves two main elements: induction and suggestions.

• Hypnotic induction is the first suggestion delivered during the process of hypnosis, though what it should consist of is still a matter of debate
• Suggestions are typically expressed as implications that elicit seemingly involuntary responses from the participants, who do not believe they have much, or any, control (or agency) over the situation.

Neuroimaging techniques have shown that highly suggestible people exhibit higher activity levels in the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and parietal networks of the brain during different phases of hypnosis.

Many studies link hypnosis specifically to cognitive processes and describe it as “a phenomenon involving attentive receptive concentration .” Some evidence points to the role of hypnosis in controlling selective attention .

The relationship between hypnosis and states of attention is reinforced by the results of past experiments, in which hypnotic suggestion was used to alter different kinds of perception.

Increasingly, self-hypnosis and techniques of hypnotic suggestion have picked up steam as “life hacks.” Self-hypnosis techniques can be used as a shortcut for achieving relaxation and boosting self-confidence.

Therefore: meditation and hypnosis are closely related, as they both play a role in mind-body regulation.

The potential held by hypnosis for modifying perception is also what makes it fitting as a complementary medicine approach.

Hypnotherapy is currently used to relieve several medical conditions and to help people let go of negative habits that can have a serious impact on their health.