It's All Personal with Hypnosis

There are incredibly smart researchers studying the science of hypnosis.  What exactly happens to the brain?  Why are some people more suggestible than others?

Here is an interesting quote from a recent study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine and published in the Archives of General Psychiatry:

“Hypnosis is described as a trance-like state during which a person has a heightened focus and concentration…it works by modulating activity in brain regions associated with focused attention.”

I’ve practiced self-hypnosis for nearly a decade, taught the process to more than 100 people and, during the past three years, performed my “Hypnotic Experience” show for nearly 1,000 guests.  I had no idea my induction technique was modulating brain regions.

Candidly, it doesn’t concern me much.  That’s because I am more focused on helping people realize the positive outcomes achieved through hypnosis – stress management, self-confidence and esteem, academic and career performance, and physical well-being.

Yet, I also recognize many of the attendees at the events where I perform seek more than just the experience of hypnosis.  They have a sincere interest to better understand a process often defined by misconceptions.

My performance this evening for DC Global Adventurers is a wonderful example.  Readers of this blog know I’ve struck up an intimate relationship with this 1,800+ person social group because of the respect I have for its founder and the high caliber of people I’ve met at her meet-ups.

You can read recaps of my previous presentations of hypnosis to this group here and here.

About 20 exceptional professionals gathered at my Tysons Corner office for an introduction to hypnosis.  Although the room was a bit cramped (and warm), the induction was smooth and resulted in most of the attendees drifting gently into a state of relaxation and focus.

We then invested nearly 30 minutes in a fascinating Q&A session and discussion of what it felt like to be hypnotized.  Here are a few highlights:

--When asked to visualize a relaxing scenario (i.e. lying on the beach), many pictured themselves with a loved one or close friend, rather than alone.  It’s obvious the desire for social engagement permeates the subconscious mind.

--For some, the pace of my induction was too quick, while others found it just right.  

--My countdown methodology of alternating between three, five and, in one instance, ten also threw some off because of a lack of consistency.  I’ve heard this before and may need to alter my approach.

--And finally, nearly every attendee reported a unique experience when hypnotized.  There was some constants, such as feelings of being relaxed, comfortable, energized and confident.  Yet, the actually experience of hypnosis is clearly a personal one.

The researchers at Stanford provide us with a plausible reason why, “The brain is complicated, people are complicated.”

Each hypnotized guest reported a unique experience when asked to visualize themselves lying on a beach.