Could You Be Hypnotized - and What Would That Mean?

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Though often thought of as a pseudo-science suited only for "magic" shows, hypnosis is an actual psychological phenomenon. Revolving around an induced trance-like state, researchers have found that it can alter memory, offer pain relief or even modify behavior. Let's take a look at...
  • The hypnotic trance
  • Could YOU be hypnotized?
  • Medical mind-warping - hypnosis as a medical treatment
  • Clap your hands if you believe - implanted false memories

Close up of a hazel human eye
Humans can enter trance-like states all by themselves... (bniique)

The Hypnotic Trance

Though it initially sounds far-fetched, humans enter trance-like states as part of everyday life. If you've ever been so engrossed in a book, movie, videogame or daydream that you zone out and lose track of time, you've been in one.

A professional hypnotist attempts to induce a trance-like state by guiding a patient into a state of deep relaxation, often using relaxing imagery suggested by the patient prior to the session. Once in this trance-like state, the patient will hopefully become focused on and open to suggestions put forward by the hypnotist - free of outside distractions.

This isn't just pseudoscience - a study of 57 people found three alterations in brain activity during hypnosis. Firstly, the dorsal anterior cingulate (part of the brain that directs your attention) showed decreased activity - suggesting participants stopped thinking about external distractions. Secondly, connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula increased - meaning that participants were potentially more aware and better able to control their body. Finally connections were reduced between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the default mode network - meaning that participants were less likely to analyze and reflect on a course of action rather than just doing it!

Could YOU Be Hypnotized?

Despite what you might have seen in movies, not everyone seems vulnerable to hypnosis. Most practitioners actually screen potential candidates for susceptibility using a series of scales - these measure tendencies towards creative thought and imagination.

Studies looking at the relationship between personality traits and hypnotic vulnerability have turned up a few associations. An openness to new experience (and to an extent, feelings) was associated with high hypnotic susceptibility. High transliminality (a measure of imagination and absorption into daydreams) has also been associated with vulnerability to hypnosis.

In essence, having a vivid imagination makes you a better candidate for hypnosis - being more down to earth makes you more resistant!

Pile of cigarette butts
Unfortunately smoking addictions seem unaffected by hypnotherapy... (PublicDomainPictures)

Medical Mind-Warping - Hypnosis as a Medical Treatment

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms of hypnosis, a number of studies have explored using it as a therapy.

One of the most promising areas for hypnotherapy is the field of clinical pain management. A review of 42 studies found that around 73% of patients receiving hypnotic pain-management treatment experienced less pain than their compatriots. Some researchers suggest that 43% of people in the UK suffer from chronic pain (the percentage starts low but climbs with age) so a new form of pain management would probably be a welcome addition!

Another set of meta-analyses found that hypnosis seemed effective in treating obesity. It seems that hypnotized participants lost more weight than 94% of unhypnotized ones in the short term, dropping to 81% over a longer follow-up period. In addition, hypnotism seemed to improve the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy used to treat obesity.

Unfortunately a meta-analysis of hypnotism used to treat smoking addiction provided less promising results. The combined outcomes of the studies indicate that hypnosis offered no improvement over normal interventions - or even no intervention at all.

Clap Your Hands If You Believe - Implanted False Memories

Despite the typical media portrayal, hypnosis is not mind control. A person may be more suggestible, but they still have their own volition and cannot be forced to do or reveal information that they do not want to.

Far more realistic is the induction of false beliefs. Research by psychologists such as Loftus and Palmer has shown that our memories are much less resilient than we might hope - even the wording of a question can change subtle details about our recollection of events.

The suggestive state produced by successful hypnosis offers fertile ground for the induction of a false memory. A meta analysis of the topic found that techniques including guided imagination and hypnosis had a significant chance of inducing a false memory in a patient. In fact, the researchers suggest 50% (or more) of participants in hypnotic experiments came away with a false belief.

To show just how dangerous this is one need only look at the case of Gary Ramona, a man who was accused by his daughter of having assaulted her at an early age. Notably Holly Ramona had been undergoing therapy for depression and bulimia before leveling these accusations. During the case, a series of expert witnesses testified that her therapist had implanted false memories in Holly by using memory regression therapy and the hypnotic drug sodium amytal. Gary Ramona ultimately won the case and was awarded damages - though his family life was left in ashes.
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