What Is Being In Hypnosis?

What does being in hypnosis feel like,
what does being hypnotized feel like?
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What Is Hypnosis and How Does It Feel?

Whether we realize it or not, our reality actually consists of our thoughts, beliefs and mindset.

In other words, what you think about most, will begin to manifest in your life. If this is true, then you can use your thoughts to create the reality you desire with precision.

So how does hypnosis or hypnotherapy help with this?

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The first step is understanding your different brainwave frequencies. We all have these brainwave frequencies (Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta and Gamma), and each frequency is measured in cycles per second (Hz) and has its own set of characteristics representing a specific level of brain activity and a unique state of consciousness.

People often mistakenly think that being hypnotized means being asleep and that one can be made to do things while they are sleeping. This is false. Hypnosis takes place in the Alpha and Theta brain wave state which are described in order below.

In Hypnosis Your Subconscious Mind is Engaged and Your Intellectual Mind is Not

Hypnosis is considered a dissociative state, which means that your subconscious mind is engaged and your intellectual mind is not.

This means that you can feel so relaxed that you are not associating with your thoughts or your body which is why hypnosis can be used for pain relief as well. Your intellectual mind is the part which needs to be quieted in order to experience relief from the above listed negative feelings.

Once in this dissociative state (Alpha brain waves), a person’s subconscious mind is ready to take in the suggestions of the therapist. What is the difference then between hypnosis and meditation?

The brain wave state is likely the same. The difference is the therapist offering suggestions that one may not be able to come up with on their own in a meditative state, or even in a conscious state.

What Are The Brain Waves in Hypnosis?

1) Beta (14-40Hz)

The Waking Consciousness and Reasoning Wave

Beta brain waves are associated with normal waking consciousness and a heightened state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. This is the state we are in while we work, have conversations and interactions in our daily lives.

While Beta brain waves are important for effective functioning throughout the day, they also can translate into stress, anxiety and restlessness. The voice of Beta can be described as the voice in our head or our constant stream of thought.

2) Alpha (7.5-14Hz)

The Deep Relaxation Wave

Alpha brain waves are present in deep relaxation and usually when the eyes are closed, when you’re slipping into a lovely daydream or during light meditation. It is an optimal time to program the mind for success and it also heightens your imagination, visualization, memory, learning and concentration.

It is the gateway to your subconscious mind and lies at the base of your conscious awareness. The voice of Alpha is your intuition, which becomes clearer and more profound the closer you get to 7.5Hz. This is an optimal state for hypnotherapy. This is a time when the constant chatter of the Beta state ceases to a large degree and the subconscious mind is open to suggestion.

3) Theta (4-7.5Hz)

The Light Meditation And Sleeping Wave

Theta brain waves are present during deep meditation and light sleep, including the all-important REM dream state. It is the realm of your subconscious and only experienced momentarily as you drift off to sleep from Alpha and wake from deep sleep (from Delta).

Your mind’s most deep-seated programs are at Theta and it is where you experience vivid visualizations, great inspiration, profound creativity and exceptional insight.

It is at the Alpha-Theta border, from 7Hz to 8Hz, where the optimal range for visualization and hypnosis or reprogramming of your mind begins. It’s the mental state which you consciously create your reality. At this frequency, you are conscious of your surroundings however your body is in deep relaxation. This is the description of what hypnosis is. It isn’t sleep, it isn’t a magic trick, it’s simply a relaxed brain wave state.

4) Delta (0.5-4Hz)

The Deep Sleep Wave

The Delta frequency is the slowest of the frequencies and is experienced in deep, dreamless sleep. Delta is the realm of your unconscious mind, and the gateway to the collective unconscious, where information received is otherwise unavailable at the conscious level.

Among many things, deep sleep is important for the healing process – as it’s linked with deep healing and regeneration. When people don’t get enough deep sleep it is detrimental to their health in more ways than one. Once a person is in the Delta state even though their subconscious mind is very active, hypnosis would not be effective because the person would not be able to hear the suggestions given. This is a time when the subconscious is like a computer sorting, filing, organizing and discarding data.

5) Gamma (above 40Hz)

The Insight Wave

This range is the most recently discovered and is the fastest frequency at above 40Hz. While little is known about this state of mind, initial research shows Gamma waves are associated with bursts of insight and high-level information processing.

Does Hypnotism Really Work?

Your next question might be, “Does hypnotherapy really work?” You could also ask, “Does psychotherapy really work?” and “Does medicine really work?”

The answer to those questions is, “Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.” There are no guarantees for any treatment so it’s important to seek a treatment which resonates with you, that you feel comfortable with and it’s worth a try to see a hypnotherapist for whatever the issue is for you.

If you live in the Denver or Lakewood, CO area and want to try a fun and relaxing therapy call me today!