What is hypnosis The psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis - Essay Example

?What is Hypnosis? Introduction Hypnosis can be described as the “systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened of suggestibility” (Weiten, 2008). The state of hypnosis is normally induced by a process called hypnotic induction. This induction consists of a complex series of suggestions and instructions which may be self- administered or they may be delivered by a hypnotist. The hypnosis procedure may be applied for different purposes including: hypnotherapy, stage hypnosis and self hypnosis. Hypnotherapy refers to the use of hypnosis procedures for therapeutic reasons and purposes. Stage hypnosis is the kind of hypnotism that is used for the purposes of audience entertainment (Pintar and Lynn, 2008). Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not performed while the individual is in some form of unconscious state. Rather it has been proven that hypnotic subjects are normally fully awake and attentive, but their peripheral awareness is usually reduced. There are two main aspects of hypnosis: physical and psychological. The physical aspect affects the tangible parts of the body or body cells. The psychological aspect of hypnosis affects the emotional and mental aspects of human functionalities (Taddei-Ferretti and Musio, 1999). Psychological Aspects of Hypnosis Psychological aspects of hypnosis are normally explained through psychological theories that affect the mental and emotion beings. These theories normally try to explain how consciousness and hypnotic suggestions come together in order to elicit certain reactions and behaviors in an individual. In the field of psychotherapy, hypnosis the effects of hypnosis can be explained through the ego state theory which emphasizes on the relationship between psychogenic amnesia, fugue states and multiple personalities. According to the ego state theory, different networks of human personality behaviors, experiences and traits are normally bound by principles common to all of them (Pettinati, 1988). Although it is possible for several ego states to coexist, they normally do so as distinct or independent entities. Hypnosis researchers believe that these entities have loosely defined boundaries. This makes it possible for communication to occur during the hypnotic state, which in turn results in a more general psychological integration of the egos. Some authors claim that hypnosis is a psychologically dissociative condition. In this context, dissociation may be any personality trait that is defined by the connections between perception and cognition of deliberate control over certain behavior. This is to say that a set of emotions, thoughts and behaviors can separate from the main personality so as to have an autonomous or independent form of expression. Hypnosis can then be used as one of the ways through which these dissociated entities can be made to manifest themselves. Another theory that tries to explain the psychological aspect of hypnosis is behavioral theory. Unlike the ego state theory, behavioral theory implies that the hypnotic state is not a separate entity of consciousness. To support this viewpoint, researchers point out that hypnotic phenomenon can also be achieved while the subject is in a normal waking state (Pintar and Lynn, 2008). Some researchers view hypnosis as a phenomenon that is closely related to atavistic theories. These theories point out that an individual under hypnotic influence may return to a level of mental functioning that can only be considered to be archaic. In the waking state, this mental state is normally overpowered by an individual’s critical, intellectual and logical faculties. This theory may be sued to explain several aspects of hypnosis (Taddei-Ferretti and Musio, 1999). For instance, hypnotic suggestions that are repetitive may cause some mental faculties to rescind and other new ones to supersede them. This theory is also used to explain the hypnotic phenomenon of pseudo trance daydreams when an individual is under certain suggestions. However, this theory fails to address certain hypnotic behaviors such as hallucinations and anesthesia. Certain psychoanalytic theories also try to put into perspective the psychological aspect of hypnosis. These theories, which are mostly centered on the different stages of personal development, point out that some portions of the hypnotic subject’s psyche might go back to a lesser mature form, where the hypnotherapist acts as the parental figure. This concept tries to explain how transference of attitudes, feelings and wishes in an individual’s life occurs (Pettinati, 1988). In other words, the theories point out that under s hypnotic state, the subject may possess portions of their former personalities in different forms. Physical Aspects of Hypnosis Although research shows that there are many accounts of physical changes that are associated with hypnosis, this association has not been proven to be regular or systematic. In many cases, the physical changes that occur during hypnosis are normally influenced by the form of suggestions that the subjects are administered with. Differences in physical and physiological response may be due to the presence of relaxation incentives as opposed to suggestion-centered activation. For instance, it is possible to observe variability in cardiac activity during the beginning of a hypnotic procedure. This may be caused by the subject’s feelings of novelty and anxiety about the experience. This observation is replaced by a slower regular rhythm as the hypnotic induction progresses (Zukausky, 2009). Another interesting physical aspect of hypnosis has been observed during surgical procedures when hypnoanesthesia is used to reduce bleeding. Hypnoanesthesia has also been observed to cause vasodilation, which in turn increased blood circulation to areas with poor circulation. Some forms of self hypnosis have also been seen to reduce blood pressure. This is especially so with the combination of biofeedback support which allows the subjects to modulate and sometimes to normalize their blood pressures. At other times, especially during the deeper hypnotic procedures, individuals may experience slower breathing rates. However, when there are feelings of pain, fear and anger, the respiratory rate is likely to increase under the hypnotic state (Taddei-Ferretti and Musio, 1999). In some cases, the hypnotic experience may elicit varying metabolic changes within an individual. These changes occur in oxygen saturation, metabolism of minerals especially calcium, level of blood glucose level and the rate of basal metabolism. Depending on the hypnotic suggestion in use, the temperature of the body may increase or decrease. In order to influence the physical aspect of the body, hypnosis is approached through such channels as the cerebral blood flow, electrodermal activity, brain oxygen consumption and gastric secretions (Weiten, 2008). Although it has not been scientifically proven, observers argue that hypnosis has the ability to send signals to new cells so as to affect change in an individual’s physiological makeup. For instance some people have experienced instances where scars disappeared or pain went away during and after a hypnotic process. Hypnotists believe that the suggestions followed during the hypnotic procedure normally communicate with new cells, thereby cutting any communication about ageing and injury. Some people also believe that hypnosis can increase someone’s immune system and in the process, it has the effect of curing cancer. Others believe that they can increase the size of their body through various hypnotic suggestions (Pintar and Lynn, 2008). Conclusion Hypnosis is a procedure that has been there for many years and people have come to believe in its effectiveness. This procedure has two aspect levels: physical and psychological. In the physical sense, hypnosis is believed to cause cells to act in a way that they normally would not. For instance, a person under hypnosis can alter their physical appearance or cause a change to the immune system. Psychological aspects of hypnosis include mental and emotional changes that cause individuals under hypnotic suggestions to behave in a certain way. Contrary to popular belief, one cannot be hypnotized if they are not willing to be part of the hypnotic process. Therefore, the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis are relative since different individuals normally report to experiencing different reactions when under varying suggestions. References Pettinati, H.M. (1988). Hypnosis and memory. New York: Guilford Press. Pintar, J. and Lynn, S.J. (2008). Hypnosis: A brief history. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Taddei-Ferretti, C. and Musio, C. (1999). Neuronal bases and psychological aspects of consciousness. River Edge, NJ: World Scientific publishing Co. Weiten, W. (2008). Psychology: Themes and variations. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Zukausky, G. (2009). Hypnosis: Using the full potential of your mind. New York: Xlibris Corporation. Read More