THEORIES OF HYPNOSIS:
WHAT MAKES IT WORK?
Why does Hypnosis work? This question has puzzled scientists for many decades. As with any scientific puzzle, numerous explanations have been advanced.
Physiological explanations have taken one of three main forms:
- Parasympathetic Nervous System Activation
- Brain-Wave Patterns
- Complex Interaction of both Brain Hemispheres
We will look at each of these briefly to better understand the life-altering phenomenon of Hypnosis.
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THEORY #1: Activation of the
Parasympathetic Nervous System
In man, as in all mammals, there are two nervous systems: the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The central nervous system regulates motor responses to sensory impressions via the brain and spinal cord. The autonomic nervous system regulates the internal systems. These internals systems are usually not under our voluntary control. They include the heart beat, pulse, glandular activity and digestive processes.
Within the autonomic system are two divisions. These two systems are in direct opposition to each other. The first is the sympathetic division. It is responsible for mobilizing the body’s energies to meet emergencies. For example, it causes the heart to beat faster and more strongly, the blood pressure to rise, respiration to accelerate. It releases blood sugar from the liver and adrenalin from the adrenal glands.
LET’S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE
The condition of “stage fright” is an apt example of the sympathetic nervous system in action. Stage fright includes the following physiological responses: knees and hands shake, heart beats faster and faster, perspiration increases on the palms and face, the stomach has unpleasant fluttering or hollow feeling. These symptoms are caused by the sympathetic nervous system’s response to the person’s fear of standing before a group. This constitutes an “emergency” situation and the body prepares for a fight or flight response.
In direct opposition to this is the parasympathetic response. The parasympathetic division slows the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, produces visceral responses typical of periods of rest and relaxation. The parasympathetic responds in such a way as to restore the calm operation of the organism. It conserves the body’s energy.
HOW CAN BOTH OPERATE
AT THE SAME TIME?
These two systems — the sympathetic and the parasympathetic — cannot both be active in the same body at the same time. Hence, utilizing Hypnosis to activate the parasympathetic response of relaxation BEFORE the sympathetic response of arousal can begin, is one approach to eliminating the problem.
Additionally, removing the fear stimulus reduces the sympathetic response. So, if the fear stimulus can be reduced enough — while the relaxed, calm response is being heightened — success becomes even more imminent.
NOW BACK TO OUR EXAMPLE …
So, as an example with stage fright: Hypnosis would be used in a calm atmosphere. The subject would be taught relaxation away from the actual stage. Once the subject is able to achieve a calm state — a state of strong parasympathetic response — she will be asked to imagine looking at the stage. This is an action which might increase sympathetic response. However, since the parasympathetic activity is so strong, the subject will be able to stay relaxed while imagining that she is looking at the stage.
The sympathetic response is not triggered.
Then, the Hypnotized subject might be asked to imagine herself walking toward the stage. Again, she is doing this in the safety of the distant setting and can imagine herself calmly walking toward the stage.
Again, the sympathetic response is not triggered.
Then, the Hypnotized subject might be given further relaxation instructions and Hypnosis-deepening directions. Then, she might be requested to imagine herself walking onto the stage. Once again, because the parasympathetic response is so strong and directly opposes a sympathetic response, the sympathetic response remains absent.
And so on through rehearsal of actual walking onto the stage and speaking to the audience. This, too, is successfully performed by the subject because the parasympathetic response continues to provide the subject with the desired control.
Can you see how the truth of the matter is that the autonomic nervous system IS controlled voluntarily? Through the use of Hypnosis we can beneficially create autonomic nervous system control!
Workings of Hypnosis: Theory #2
