Echoes of the self: A neurophenomenological journey into the shifting realms of selfhood in neutral hypnosis.

Abstract

Neutral hypnosis offers a valuable state for researchers interested in the nature of consciousness. By minimizing external influences and suggestions, it allows for the investigation of the intrinsic qualities of hypnotic consciousness and its relationship to normal waking states. Studies have shown that neutral hypnosis can result in a significant shift in self-perception. Self-consciousness in neutral hypnosis is often characterized by distortions in the sense of self, fluctuations in self-awareness, and alterations in the experience of agency and body ownership. However, despite these clear effects, the field has largely overlooked the importance of these self-alterations, leading to a notable gap in the literature. In this chapter, we aim to address this gap by examining the existing research on self-consciousness in neutral hypnosis, emphasizing the need for more focused and well-structured studies utilizing the neurophenomenological methodology. Specifically, we propose to apply the neurophysiological three-dimensional model of complex experiential Selfhood, which conceptualizes the self as composed of three dynamically interacting aspects - first-person agency, embodiment, and narrative-reflection - each associated with three distinct sub-networks of the brain's self-referential network. These sub-networks are assessed through EEG operational synchrony analysis, providing a functional measure of their integration. Additionally, we outline several promising avenues for future research, accompanied by testable predictions regarding neurophenomenological alterations in Selfhood as a function of the depth of neutral hypnosis.