Seeing Colors

In spite of all the wonders of hypnosis, there is still so much to learn. For instance, why is it more effective for some and not others? This is the sort of question that nags at me, but it also propels me forward. There is a lot too consciousness and harnessing one's inner control.

And because of this, I think I will dedicate a post on Fridays to "Factual Friday." There are all sorts of studies out there that have been done about hypnosis and consciousness. We gain daily insight to the mind and how it works. And for the skeptics, the proof is in the pudding.

Recently, The University of Hull made an interesting discovery about the parts of the mind that are activated when someone is experiencing hypnosis. Using a brain scan, for the participants who did well with the hypnotic suggestions given by the experimenters, the suggestion was given that when they looked at a black and white image, the participants would see the image in color. The same experiment was done with the participants in a state of normal consciousness. The scans indicated that in normal consciousnesses, the logical, rational part of the brain (frontal lobe) showed activity. When in hypnosis, the part of the brain that is directly related to sensing color was activated.

What does this mean about hypnosis? It means that when in a hypnotic state, reality is different. In this state, the mind can utilize the parts of the brain responsible for the actions needed, thus creating its own reality. It is more than just imagination, where logic and thought simulate something. It is as though it is really happening (seeing the colors).

Source: The University of Hull