Hypnosis - A portal to our past, present and future !

In its dusty past hypnosis has been cast as a mystic, a villain in mainstream

circles. Playing a familiar role on stage it provides entertainment for the masses. Indeed, it even has its uses in the animal kingdom; many animals play dead when threatened only to revive themselves when the danger passes. Hypnosis has a serious side however, it plays a different role on the self-development and healing stage. The validity of hypnosis as a complimentary modality is becoming recognized. ! Studies suggest that brainwave activity changes dependent on hypnotic depth.

As we move from the high energy beta wave state to the slower theta waves we experience perceptual and physiological changes; for example our eyes utter, breathing is more rhythmic, the body is relaxed and time is distorted. Interestingly, children and animals tend to reside in the alpha/theta waves thus are more intuitive and emotional. According to Crawford, a prominent researcher in the hypnotic eld, different parts of the brain are activated during hypnosis - some increasing from 13%-28%. Preliminary results also suggest the reward pathway in the brain involving dopamine is stimulated. In fact, research using fMRI shows that hypnosis requires more mental effort, hence individuals are in a heightened state of awareness. From its humble beginnings denigrated as hocus pocus, hypnosis has evolved and is being effectively used as therapy - hypnotherapy. The power of hypnosis coupled with suggestion changes belief systems by reframing the meaning we place on experience. William Tiller, a former Professor Emeritus at Stanford University aptly states, What we give meaning to we become.

Studies on the effects of hypnotherapy abound, for example, those tested

positive for tuberculosis using the Mantoux test method were able to inhibit the test reaction following hypnotic suggestion. Interestingly, the use of cooling images for burn victims greatly increased speed of recovery and hypnotic suggestions given pre and post surgery reduced the need for excessive anesthesia and medication. This clearly shows that hypnosis has a neuropsychoimmunological effect on the individual; highlighting its versatility, encompassing far more than its traditional uses for habit management, fears and weight loss. So what allows us to delve into this part of ourselves? Consciousness is dened as awareness. How many of us are completely aware of every waking moment? Quantum physics suggests that we are the creator of our own realities; it is our expectations and intention that creates the space around us. Indeed, William Tiller has researched the effects of intention on experimental outcome. In one study he demonstrated it was possible to repeatedly alter the acidity or alkalinity of water using intention. If this is evident with water what does this mean for the human body? We are 70% water after all! This nding should have you on the edge of your seat, for it tells us that we are more powerful than than our beliefs suggest and we signicantly impact our lives and those around us. We do not live in a vacuum rather we are entangled one mind with another on a quantum level. Moreover, our emotional minds and physical bodies are tightly intertwined, thus we are co-creators not victims. Society conditions us to believe ego is our true essence. This conditioning builds our expectations and belief system based on illusion. Consciousness is the beauty of being human, its what gives the matter of which we are made the innate intelligence to create. Furthermore, consciousness is found in the animal, plant and microbial kingdom

albeit at differing levels. So if our cells have consciousness what information can we tap into using hypnosis? Consciousness is the energetic thread of our existence. Hypnosis, therefore is the gateway to nding our authentic selves.

Baghdadi, G., Motie, A. N. (2009). An Investigation of Changes in Brain Wave Energy during Hypnosis with Respect to Normal EEG. Sleep and Hypnosis, 11: 40-45. Bennet, H. L., Benson, D. R. & Hilgard, E. R. (1970). Preoperative instructions for decreased bleeding during spine sugery. Anesthesiol., 65: A245 (abstract). Black, S. (1963b). Inhibition of immediate-type hypersensitivity response by direct suggestion under hypnosis. British Medical Journal, 6: 925-929. Brigham and Women's Hospital (2012, February 29). Skin infection sheds light on immune cells living in our skin. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 18, 2012, from http:// www.sciencedaily.com!/releases/2012/02/120229142136.htm Crawford, H. J., Gur, R. C., Skolnic, B., Gur, R. E. & Benson, D. (1993). Effects of hypnosis on regional cerebral blood ow during ischemic pain with and without suggested hypnotic analgesia. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 15: 181-195. Crawford, H. J. (1994). Brain Dynamics and Hypnosis: Attentional and disattentional Processes. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 42: 204-232. Das, J.P. (1958). The Pavlovian Theory of Hypnosis: An Evaluation. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 104: 82-90. Gruzelier, J. H. (1999). Hypnosis from a neurobiological perspective: A review of evidence and applications to improve immune function. Anales de Psicologia, 15: 111-132. Numerous white papers and video were retrieved 18 December 2012 for this article from www.tiller.org. Oliveira, L. D., Hoffmann, A. & Menescal-de-Oliveira, L. (1997). The lateral hypnothalamus in the modulation of tonic mobility in guinea pigs. Neuroreport, 8(16): 3489-3493. Radin, D. (2006). Entangled Minds - Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality. Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the America. New York: New York, USA. Sherlin, L. H., Arns, M., Lubar, J., Heinrich, H., Kerson, C., Strehl, U., & Sterman, B. (2011). Neurofeedback and basic learning theory: Implications for Research and Practice. Journal of Neurotherapy, 15: 292-304. Will, K. (2009). Researcher discovers brain cells have memory. http://phys.org/ news157906808.html. Retrieved 18 December 2012.

University of Wisconsin-Madison (2012, December 17). New form of cell division found: Natural back-up mechanism during faulty cell division. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 18, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com!/releases/2012/12/121217140328.htm