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The hypnotist's technique aims to narrow the subject's attention to the extent s/he is aware of nothing but the operator's voice. Often the technique is purely verbal, but may also involve touch (eg gentle circular massage of the forehead), or the use of a "fascination" (eg pendulum, swirling pattern, light etc) to narrow visual focus & tire the eyes. Generally, basic induction of hypnosis involves progressive relaxation, & much repetition of basic instructions. If successful, after a time (may be only seconds, but often 10 or more minutes) the subject will enter a physically relaxed/ immobile but hyperattentive state in which they're totally absorbed in what the hypnotist tells them. Thereafter, to varying degrees, they'll follow suggestions made by the hypnotist.

Some argue this is no more than a form of social compliance - subjects follow instructions & become hypnotised because it's what they expect to happen. In effect, they're role playing. There is, however, evidence that hypnosis induction activates a "right brain state" in which the brain hemisphere responsible for emotion, imagination, intuition etc predominates over the left half which deals with logic, analysis, critical functions etc.. Thus the subject becomes highly susceptible to suggestion; has reduced critical faculties, and is generally very open to ideas/ notions of which they'd normally be more dismissive. Generally, hypnotised people are quite playful.

People in deep hypnosis also typically manifest many of the characteristics of the REM sleep phase: eg degrees of physical paralysis; rapid eye movements, & eye inversion (eyes rolled up in head); a "dreamlike" state (they can often experience vivid hallucinations suggested to them); spontaneous erections; somnambulistic capabilities etc.. So, some theories hold that hypnotism is, in effect, artificial induction of a REM state in an otherwise conscious person. This might explain why, for example, in some cases the use of the "classic" swinging watch/ pendulum is so effective in inducing hypnosis in some subjects: the side to side movement of the eyes as they focus on a swinging pendulum mimics exactly the side to side eye movements so typical of the early stage of REM sleep.

Exactly how hypnotism works is unclear: there are numerous theories, some more scientifically rigorous than others, and there's much debate between psychologists & neuroscientists. All that can be stated with any certainty is that hypnosis is a real altered state of mind; most people can attain it (and most do spontaneously enter hypnotic states on a daily basis - eg "day dreaming"), but degrees of hypnotic suggestibility/ capacity to be formally hypnotised vary considerably between individuals, and indeed from time to time. Most people can be hypnotised if they are willing, but much depends on the individual's frame of mind & situation.

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