Hypnosis: A Legitimate Practice

Note: Two years ago a young soccer player, Chelsea Germak, asked me to help her with problems she was experiencing during play. Chelsea turned out to be a good subject and hypnosis helped her overcome her problems. More important, perhaps, the experience excited the interest that resulted in this excellent research paper. Chelsea is now a student at the University of Pennsylvania.
      --By Chelsea Germak

"You are getting very sleepy." A dark, mysterious man wearing a long cape swings a gold watch back and forth in front of a woman's eyes. This is hypnosis in its most stereotypical form. Luckily, there is much more to this fascinating subject than Svengali-wannabes or people quacking like ducks at the sound of a bell. The study of applying hypnosis to patients has involved countless researchers and thousands of studies, and it all started with the work of one aspiring medical practitioner more than two hundred years ago.

Franz Anton Mesmer was the talk of the town in the late 1700s. This Austrian physician claimed to have the ability to cure a variety of symptoms simply by passing a force he called "animal magnetism" into his patients' bodies. This force, he reported, was the result of a mysterious fluid which existed in all bodies. The fluid allowed for one person to have a strong, "magnetic" influence over another person. Investigators at the French Academy of Science concluded Mesmer's patients had indeed been cured of numerous psychosomatic problems; nonetheless, they proceeded to ban the future use of his procedure. Today, we understand that Mesmer was not creating animal magnetism but in fact inducing hypnosis upon his patients. His theories of a force-inflicting fluid have been discarded, yet Mesmer is accredited with pioneering the science of hypnosis as we know it today (Plotnik 170) (Rosen 421).

The term hypnosis is derived from a Greek word meaning sleep. However, hypnosis is not a form of sleep at all. It involves more active and intense mental concentration. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterized by a heightened responsiveness to suggestion ("Hypnosis"). No magic is involved because it is a natural part of human behavior that involves psychological, social, and physical experiences (London 461).

Although it is essential for hypnotists to have the proper training before inducing hypnosis upon their subjects, their overall skill does not affect the successfulness of a hypnotic session as much as the subject's ability to be hypnotized. Essentially, being hypnotized is something subjects do to themselves rather than the work of a hypnotist. Therefore, the single most important factor in hypnosis is the degree to which one has a "talent" for being hypnotized, or their hypnotizability (Johnston 100). Introversion/extroversion, intelligence, willpower, compliance, and gullibility have no relevance to one's hypnotizability (Plotnik 170). More prevalent, however, is the subject's unique expression of human imagination (Johnston 101). Those who fully expect to cooperate and imagine the given suggestions will be more responsive to hypnosis. Perhaps this explains why children between the ages of eight and twelve are the best at being hypnotized (Plotnik 170).

If you have ever "lost yourself" in a book or movie, you are most likely a good candidate for hypnosis (Johnston 101). One way hypnotists test their subjects for the "talent" of being hypnotized successfully is to give various suggestions of both a simple and complex nature, such as an arm being weightless or the body becoming incredibly heavy. Subjects whose arms begin to rise up or those who are unable to stand will generally have the most productive sessions (Plotnik 170).

After testing for the level of hypnotizablility, a hypnotist will bring his subject into hypnosis through a process known as induction. To begin this process, a hypnotist first must establish a sense of trust with his subject. This allows for the situation to be more comfortable and for the subject to be more open to the hypnotist's suggestions. Once a bond has been formed, a hypnotist will suggest that the subject concentrate on a particular thing, such as the sound of the hypnotist's voice, a specific object, or a mental image. Focusing on this one thing will allow the subject to tune out all surrounding stimuli and direct all of his or her attention to the suggestions being given (How Hypnosis). The hypnotist uses monotonous, repetitive verbal commands to suggest what the subject will experience ("Hypnosis"). He instructs the subject to become relaxed, feel sleepy, or experience a floating feeling. The subject is now in the trance-like stage of hypnosis (Plotnik 170).

How aware are the subjects who are in this stage of hypnosis? The psychologist Ernest Higard set out to find the answer. He developed a theory known as the "hidden observer" concept. Through many studies, Hilgard discovered that the consciousness of the subject is divided into two parts during hypnosis. First, there is the conscious self, which can respond to questions orally and appears to be in control. However, this is actually the part which is hypnotized. The unhypnotized part is known as the hidden observer, of which the conscious self is totally unaware. The hidden observer can respond to questions, but only in nonverbal ways such as tapping a finger once for yes and twice for no (Plotnik 171).

Studies such as this show hypnosis is in no way a form of mind control. Contrary to popular belief, no one in a hypnotic state can be made to do something he or she does not want to do (Johnston 101). Those hypnotized are in full control, can resist suggestions made by the hypnotist, and can distinguish right from wrong (London 461). Unfortunately for those who plan to take over the world, hypnosis will not be of any help.

Now that we understand that subjects have absolute free will, another question is uncovered. We have all seen or heard of subjects in front of a crowd clucking like chickens or singing and dancing like Elvis. How can we explain this odd behavior exhibited occasionally? The fear of embarrassment is entirely nonexistent in the hypnotic state. Subjects feel completely uninhibited and are highly suggestible (How Hypnosis). If they don’t mind imitating Elvis on stage, they will do it if given the suggestion.

Subjects are capable of performing a variety of phenomenal behaviors during hypnosis due to the changes in their levels of awareness, imagination, memory, and reasoning. The varying levels are dependent upon the depth of a subject's hypnotic state, which can vary widely. In light hypnosis, a subject becomes rested and follows simple directions. In a profound state, subjects will forget hypnotic events and will respond automatically to posthypnotic suggestions (London 461). The most amazing behaviors may be performed during the deepest states of hypnosis. First, we will discuss one of the most useful behaviors, hypnotic analgesia.

Using PET scans, researchers found that activity in the frontal lobe of the brain decreased when the hypnotic suggestion of feeling pain more intensely was given. Similarly, the brain activity in the frontal lobe increased when the suggestion of feeling pain less intensely was given. The researchers were fascinated to discover no change in brain activity was found in the parietal lobe, which processes sensory information of pain. What this means is hypnotic suggestions change the subjects' perceptions of pain, but they have no effect on the sensations of pain. It is still felt, but is thought to be more or less hurtful (Plotnik 172).

Age regression is another behavior subjects in a hypnotic state occasionally perform. During hypnosis, a subject is instructed to regress to a certain time or a specific age in his or her life. The subject will begin to speak, act, and think as if he or she were of that age (London 462). Although most people believe past experiences are relived during age regression, subjects actually play the role of being in that time in their lives (Plotnik 172).

Those in hypnotic states may sometimes experience specific sensations, perceive unpresent stimuli, or perform behaviors that come to mind (Plotnik 172). If the subject is given the suggestion of drinking a milkshake, he or she may taste it. If the suggestion of being afraid is given, the subject may feel panicky or start to sweat. These are examples of imagined perceptions (How Hypnosis).

In addition to these behaviors present during hypnosis, there are also two which are performed after the subject is brought out of the hypnotic state. First, there is the response to posthypnotic suggestions. A suggestion is given while the subject is in a hypnotic state, however the suggested action is performed only after the subject is brought out of hypnosis. An example would be counting to a certain number to alleviate stress. The second type of behavior present after the hypnosis has ended is the displayment of posthypnotic amnesia. Subjects forget events which occurred during hypnosis and may even forget that the procedure happened at all. Each of these behaviors is most often brought about by suggestions, although a few have been known to occur spontaneously (Plotnik 172).

Even though we credit Franz Anton Mesmer with initiating the study of hypnosis, he was not the first to apply this practice to his patients. People have used some form of hypnotic techniques since ancient times, beginning with the Egyptians and Greeks (London 463). Today, hypnotism (the clinical use of hypnosis) is used in various aspects of the medical and dental professions to reduce pain in patients (London 461). Hypnotic analgesia is made useful anywhere from surgery to childbirth to cavity drilling (London 462). Age regression, imagined perceptions, and posthypnotic suggestions are all used by psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers to uncover hidden fears or modify present behavior.

When combined with other techniques, hypnotism can successfully aid in the curing of anxiety, depression, phobias, and stress (London 462). Unfortunately, hypnotism is not the answer for everyone, especially for those who are fearful of the process. But for those who are willing to try hypnotism, there are countless benefits. After being hypnotized, subjects are usually extremely relaxed and recharged. There are no withdrawal symptoms, medications, or allergic reactions (HypnoGenesis). After much training, individuals can even utilize self-hypnosis through intense relaxation and trained concentration on one's breathing ("Hypnosis"). Perhaps the most important benefit is that hypnosis frequently instills great motivation upon subjects.

However, despite hypnotism being extremely beneficial in a wide range of areas, there are instances where it is not effective. In a 1897 California court case, a guilty murder trial defendant was hypnotized on the stand but lied in his testimony. Remember, those in a hypnotic state are in full control and will not do anything they do not want to do, including telling the truth. Luckily, the jurors realized the fault in instituting hypnosis in the courtroom and convicted the defendant (Johnston 101).

Hypnosis may not be a sufficient lie detector test, however it does heighten memory capability. So can it be used on the witnesses? Again, no. An examiner’s questions and suggestions have been known to bias or mislead witnesses. Memories can also be fused with fantasies and false recollections, and people can still make mistakes when hypnotized.

Finally, hypnotism may work on an array of physiological and behavioral problems, however some problems involving self-control are not very effective. This includes smoking, overeating, and excessive drinking (Plotnik 170). Therefore, those hypnotic cassette tapes claiming to relieve the cravings for cigarettes, food, and alcohol in only six weeks may be less than legitimate.

So why is the implementation of hypnosis so successful? Albert Einstein once said that a problem cannot be solved at the same level in which it occurs. During hypnosis we alter our state of consciousness and are shifted out of our normal way of looking at things. Hypnosis gives us a new perspective of ourselves and our world and is a great way to gain insight, become enlightened, and resolve personal problems (Johnston 100) (Plotnik 173). Hypnosis may quite possibly be the greatest medical tool of the future.

Now when I snap my fingers, you will awaken.