Not Lost in a Trance: The Real Story Behind Hypnosis

 

“The truth is that any intentional movement toward presence, even when you relapse into trance, interrupts old patterning and serves your healing.” – Tara Brach

 

The Cambridge dictionary definition of trance is

 

“A temporary mental condition in which someone is not completely conscious of and/or not in control of himself or herself.”

 

Probably due to the use of hypnosis on stage and the ongoing use of the word in the therapy profession, many people believe hypnosis is trance. A state of mind in which you lose consciousness and awareness of your surroundings. There is also the common misbelief that the hypnotised lose control of themselves.

 

In my therapy room, this misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. The purpose of hypnosis is to help my clients focus inwards – creating an increase in personal awareness and self-control. Does this mean I am a non-state theorist? No – I will explain.

 

 

Non-State Vs State Theory in Hypnosis

 

Non-state theorists do not believe hypnosis is a distinct, altered state of consciousness, but a form of social and psychological interaction. They believe hypnosis doesn’t involve a special “hypnotic state” separate from normal waking consciousness. Instead, it’s seen as a heightened form of suggestibility explained by everyday psychological processes such as imagination, expectations, and social roles.

 

Key Ideas of Non-State Theory:

 

1. No Special State of Mind: Non-state theorists argue that people in hypnosis are not in a unique or altered mental state. They are simply following suggestions in the same way they might follow a compelling story or deeply focus on a task in everyday life. Non-state theorists may believe that “hypnosis” works in the same way advertising works. We know companies spend millions of pounds each year on advertising because it works – without formal hypnosis.
2. Role-Playing and Social Influence: Non-state theorists may view hypnosis as a form of role-playing, where the subject behaves in a specific way to follow expectations. The hypnotist’s authority and the subject’s desire to fulfil the role of being hypnotised play a large part in their behaviour.
3. Cognitive and Behavioural Focus: Non-state theory suggests behaviour changes, such as relaxation and focused attention – are all achievable without hypnosis. The responses are about cognitive and social factors, rather than an altered state.

 

In contrast, state theorists believe hypnosis involves a distinct state of consciousness, characterised by measurable changes in brain activity and mental processes. State theorists believe hypnosis goes beyond role-playing, social influence, or suggestibility, and instead is a unique state that allows deeper access to the unconscious mind.

 

 

Key Ideas of State Theory:

 

1. Altered State of Consciousness: According to state theorists, hypnosis is an altered state where individuals experience changes in awareness, perception, memory, and cognition. This state allows individuals to focus deeply, process suggestions more effectively, and access unconscious resources.
2. Measurable Brain Changes: State theorists often point to neurobiological evidence suggesting that hypnosis leads to specific changes in brain activity. For instance, brain scans of hypnotised individuals sometimes show differences in the patterns of brain waves, particularly in areas involved with focused attention and dissociation (such as the anterior cingulate cortex).
3. Dissociation: State theorists, such as Ernest Hilgard propose that hypnosis involves a division of consciousness. A person under hypnosis can separate different parts of their awareness, allowing some parts to respond to suggestions while other parts remain less conscious of their actions. This theory explains phenomena like hypnotic analgesia (pain relief) and amnesia under hypnosis.
4. Hypnotic Trance: State theorists characterise hypnosis as a “trance-like” state. However, unlike non-state theorists, they see this trance as a specific, altered mode of consciousness achieved through focused relaxation and suggestion. In this state, the subject is more open to therapeutic interventions, such as breaking habits or reducing anxiety, because they can bypass the critical conscious mind and access the subconscious.

 

The Hybrid Approach

 

I believe hypnosis is a specific state of mind, but my views do not fully align with state theory. My blog post here details some research into the state of mind that appears when someone is in what we commonly assume is hypnosis.

 

In my view, hypnosis is a distinct state of mind that’s fundamentally about gaining control – not losing it. Unlike the dictionary definition of trance, which suggests a lack of awareness or control, hypnosis involves a heightened sense of presence and focus, like meditation. While I believe hypnosis is a specific mental state, we enter this state using techniques from non-state theory – such as focused attention, relaxation, and guided suggestion. Whether guided by a hypnotist or practising self-hypnosis, the key is that we are always fully in control of our behaviour, switching off external noise to focus deeply on our internal world. This is where real change happens, as hypnosis allows us to interrupt old patterns and take charge of our mental and emotional processes.

 

Within my therapy room, I strive to empower my clients to reclaim their control and cultivate an internal locus of control. Shifting away from the expectation of a magic pill that state theory might suggest. I believe true transformation comes from within, and my goal is to equip clients with the tools they need to continue their journey of change long after our sessions conclude.

 

 

So – is Hypnosis Trance?

 

Referring to Tara Brach’s quote at the beginning of this article, she suggests that trance is a state of unconscious or automatic behaviour where old patterns and habitual responses dominate. However, even if someone slips back into a trance-like state, the intentional act of moving toward presence – being mindful and fully aware – can break these old, ingrained patterns. The key message is that awareness and conscious effort are powerful enough to disrupt automatic behaviours (trance) and foster healing, even when relapses into unconsciousness occur.

 

When I saw this quote, I couldn’t leave it behind. It explained so clearly to me why hypnosis in the therapy room is the opposite of trance. Trance is not something mystical, but a metaphor for being stuck in automatic, habitual thought patterns or behaviours. The exact thing us hypnotherapists, aim to help our clients change.