Quantitative Analysis of Electroencephalography in Hypnosis: A Neurophysiological Approach.

Abstract

Hypnosis is a unique state of consciousness marked by heightened response to suggestions, focused attention, and altered cognitive control. This article explores the neural connections involved in hypnosis through electroencephalography (EEG) studies, examining brain changes during hypnosis and their relationship to hypnotic depth and susceptibility. Theta waves, linked to hypnotic depth, are stronger in highly hypnotizable individuals, while gamma waves are associated with focus, suggestion acceptance, and emotional responses. Hypnosis also induces frequency-dependent reorganization of large-scale brain connectivity, particularly in frontal-parietal and attentional networks, enhancing subjective experiences and responsiveness. EEG patterns reveal more dynamic neural activity during hypnosis, which cannot be captured by linear metrics alone. Hemispheric analysis shows greater left-hemisphere activity in highly hypnotizable individuals, particularly in emotionally and verbally mediated tasks, challenging the right-hemisphere dominance model. Event related potential (ERP) findings show that hypnosis affects information processing at both pre-attentional and cognitive levels. These insights contribute to understanding hypnosis' impact on the brain and its potential for personalized therapeutic interventions.