How Hypnosis Works
Learn about how to generate an alpha state--the brainwave state required to open the bridge to the powerful subconscious mind--and how you can begin to make powerful changes in your life.
Hypnosis induces a natural state of mind (alpha and sometimes theta) in which a person enters into an extraordinarily relaxed state of being—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Alpha is the brainwave state of mind associated with beginning hypnosis. It is a natural state of mind we are in every day. And it is possible for us to induce the alpha state ourselves—or with the guidance of a hypnotist—whenever we choose. It is a fairly easy process to learn.
But before we learn how to induce an alpha state, now is the perfect time to examine the four brainwave states and gain a better understanding of each of them. There are four brainwave states: beta; alpha; theta; and delta. Beta is the normal walking around, conscious state; alpha is a relaxed, drowsy state; theta is the light sleep state; and delta is the deep sleep or coma state. The following explains brainwave states of mind, the characteristics of these states, and how to access them.
Beta--The beta state is our normal, walking around alert state. It operates in the 14-30 Hz range and we get there by waking up and starting to move and think.
Alpha--The alpha state is a light relaxation, beginning hypnosis and visualization state; a daydreaming state of mind in which our brain is operating in the 7-14 Hz range. We get there by closing our eyes, breathing deeply, and relaxing.
Theta--The theta state is the meditation, deep hypnosis, and light sleep state. This is also the lucid dreaming state and OBE state (out of body experience) in which our brain is operating in the 3-7 Hz range. We get there through guided meditations that take us on a journey deep within ourselves. We also, of course, can get there through going to sleep.
Delta--The Delta state is the deep sleep and healing state and operates in the 0.5-3 Hz range. We get there through our sleep cycles at night.
For hypnosis professionals and self-hypnotists, there are certain aspects of brainwave states and how they relate to hypnosis that should be understood. The alpha state is important for a number of reasons. Alpha waves serve as a bridge between the conscious mind (beta brainwave state) and the subconscious mind (theta brainwave state). The alpha state builds a bridge to the theta state which allows us conscious access to the unconscious material located in our subconscious mind. This bridge also gives us the opportunity to reprogram our subconscious mind. Thus, when we practice hypnosis, we can reprogram our subconscious or access information about ourselves that we otherwise might not be able to recall. For anyone desiring to learn about brainwaves and how to master them, Anna Wise has written a wonderful book on brainwaves--Awakening the Mind.
One more note on brainwaves. These brainwave states are not exclusive. In other words, when you are in a dominant beta state (walking around, alert state), you are also likely producing some alpha waves. And if you were to relax just a bit, you would likely be producing more alpha waves and fewer beta waves. Close your eyes and you'll further deepen your alpha state, but you'll still be producing some beta waves. Start daydreaming and you'll likely start producing some theta waves. You are the one who decides your brainwave state. Hypnosis is just a process that helps create a specific brainwave state in which the mind is more highly focused and more open to suggestion. You don't really need a hypnotist to achieve the hypnotic state of mind. You're in it daily.
Okay, now we’re ready to take a general look (we’ll get more detailed in the EZ self-hypnosis Tutorial section) at how hypnosis works:
It all begins with relaxation which is designed to bring the subject or self-hypnotist into an alpha state. Simply closing the eyes and taking a few deep breaths can take a person into a light alpha state. Other induction techniques (e.g., fractional relaxation or guided journeys) are used to deepen the alpha state (and in some cases to induce theta waves) and further focus the mind. A fractional relaxation induction focuses on suggestions to relax the body one area at a time, often beginning at the top of the head and moving all the way down to the feet and toes. By concentrating on relaxing the different areas of the body, three things are accomplished. First, the subject or self-hypnotist becomes more relaxed and moves into a deeper brainwave state. Second, the person’s awareness becomes highly focused on the process of relaxing to the exclusion of all else. And thirdly, the conscious mind begins to take a secondary role to the subconscious which comes to the forefront of the mind.
In most cases, the alpha state is all that is needed to make powerful changes. The theta state is a more difficult brainwave state to access while continuing to remain conscious. Theta is, after all, the light sleep state. It takes some meditators ten years or longer to be able to consciously generate high amplitude theta brainwaves. These days there is a shortcut to generating theta waves while remaining conscious. Brainwave Entrainment through the use of audio files is now used on many hypnosis recordings to access deeper levels of mind while remaining conscious. Different combinations of brainwave states can be generated for a variety of effects. But, as mentioned earlier, generating an alpha state is usually all that is needed to make powerful changes. Once we have relaxed enough to induce the alpha state, the subconscious mind comes to the forefront and the stage has been set for us to make changes.
Now that we’re in an alpha and/or theta state, we’re ready to begin programming or reprogramming our subconscious mind. This is the point in the process where we use suggestions and visualizations to send a message to our subconscious about the change we have chosen to make. Often times, as part of the process of hypnosis, we have to let go of old belief systems or core issues that have led to the patterns of behavior we are seeking to change. If we don’t let go of the old belief systems, they may very well prevent us from making the changes we desire to make because the subconscious mind and the Creative Level of Mind will continue to create for us based on those old belief systems. If we try to create new belief systems before letting go of the old belief systems, our mind is likely to be conflicted and our results will reflect that. So the key in this stage of the hypnosis process is to bring our subconscious mind into alignment with the desires of our conscious mind. First, we let go of any beliefs or core issues that created the unwanted behavior in the first place, and then we go about the task of influencing our subconscious to help us create our new behavior or desire.
The most effective way to influence our subconscious mind to “get with the program” of our conscious mind is to effectively utilize the emotional motivation that was at the heart of our wanting to make a change in the first place. For instance, let’s say we have a strong desire to lose weight. And let’s say that the emotional catalyst for our wanting to lose weight was our desire to look and feel more attractive. One way to get the message across to our subconscious mind is with a visualization of a slender, more attractive version of ourselves during our hypnosis session. Since our subconscious works best with images and symbols, a good visualization can be a very effective part of a hypnosis strategy to lose weight. Also, telling ourselves (the subconscious part of us) how wonderful it will be to be slender and fit, and how everyone will be complimenting us on how great we look, can go a long ways toward convincing our subconscious that losing weight is what we really desire to do. We also need to remember to let go of any beliefs or core issues that may have been behind our becoming overweight in the first place.
Not all behavioral changes require a letting go of old belief systems or a healing of core issues. For example, smoking often begins as a social thing. Perhaps as teens our friends smoked, so we thought we’d give it a try. Maybe our parents smoked, so we followed in their steps. Or, could be, we’re rebels and smoking fits the image of a rebel. With smoking, all that’s usually required to quit is a strong desire to quit and a good hypnosis script that gets our motivations across to our subconscious mind in a powerful and effective way. With losing weight, there are often core issues involved that need to be dealt with first before we can be successful with weight loss. Finding a good, qualified therapist is always a good idea when dealing with any change involving core issues.
An important aspect of becoming a good self-hypnotist requires that we develop a high level of self-awareness that allows us to have a good feel for recognizing when deeper issues are involved. Letting go of old beliefs that no longer serve our highest interest is an integral part of a successful hypnosis project.
Again, hypnosis is a natural state of mind (alpha, and occasionally theta) characterized by an extraordinary state of relaxation (physically, mentally, and emotionally) in which there is a heightened awareness and focus and an open responsiveness to suggestion. How does it work? While we’ve gone into some detail above to explain how hypnosis works, a basic answer to the question can be found in the “Keys to Hypnosis” (we’d like to give credit to the originator of these keys, but are unaware of the source.):
- Breath is the key to relaxation.
- Relaxation is the key to suggestion.
- Suggestion is the key to hypnosis.
Simple, yet it captures the essence of hypnosis. But for those who would choose to become effective self-hypnotists, a deeper understanding of hypnosis and of the interrelationship between the conscious mind, the subconscious mind, and the Creative Level of Mind is required. Thus, it’s time to move to the subconscious mind.
Click here to learn about The Power of the Subconscious Mind.