GLOSSARY OF HYPNOTIC TERMINOLOGY:

Some terms that are commonly used in hypnosis and self-hypnosis

Laurie Eddie


(Investigator 208, 2023 January)



Action Phase:
The part of the hypnotic trance where you specifically deal with particular problems in your life, such as a lack of confidence. It often involves a session of self-talk, analyzing your problems and working out ways of dealing with them.

Affirmations: 
Positive statements about how you want to think, feel and behave. They are generally used during self-hypnosis as a means of opposing negative thoughts and beliefs. See: Coué; and Ego-Strengthening Suggestions.

Anesthesia:
Generally refers to a physical condition where there is no feeling of pain. In medical terms it commonly refers to the use of chemical agents that render a person unconscious so that they do not experience the pain of an operation. For many individuals, a state of anesthesia can be produced using hypnosis. Nowadays it is often used on patients who are unable to tolerate chemical anesthetics, or as an anesthetic of choice for those, such as women giving birth, who wish to be fully awake throughout the process, yet not experience the pain.  

Anxiety:
A combined emotional and physical experience that produces feelings of uneasiness and distress. It can be produced by a range of experiences such as stress, worry, concern, trauma, or apprehension.  

Autogenic therapy:
A form of relaxation and light self-hypnosis based on the repetition of six suggestion commands, followed by appropriate positive affirmations to promote change.

Autohypnosis:
A hypnotic technique initiated by the individual themselves to produce a form of deep relaxation or hypnosis. See also Self-Hypnosis.

Autonomic or Involuntary Nervous System:
The part of the human nervous system that maintains the operation of vital functions of the body without the need for any conscious thought or input.  

Autosuggestion: 
Suggestions that you give to yourself; they can be negative or positive. When used with self-hypnosis to overcome problems, they should always be of a  positive nature, and should be repeated several times to reinforce the suggestion. See: Coué.

Behaviour:
All that is done by an individual throughout his/her life. See Coué.

Breathing:
Correct breathing is essential for good health; it also reduces levels of stress, as well as its signs and symptoms. Slow and deep breathing influences the unconscious processes of the body and accompanies relaxation into the hypnotic state. See — chapter 13.

Conscious:
The mind is usually perceived as having two parts, the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious level is that area of the mind that has an awareness of the external environment, via the input of the senses, and is responsible for deliberate movements of the body. It provides self-awareness, especially the perception we have of self. It is the part of the mind that assimilates learning, and enables us to think, to make decisions, to analyze problems and find answers based upon reasoning, to access learned knowledge and experiential-awareness. It is responsible for self-talk, the voice in your head that directs much of your actions.

Coué:
In the 1920's, former Chemist Emil Coué studied the phenomena of "suggestion" while operating a clinic at Nancy, in France. His successes popularized the concept of using autosuggestion for personal development. Initially he used complex personalized suggestions, but later realized the same results could be obtained by using simple general statements. His best known approach was to have individuals repeat to themselves each day the following words,  "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better."

He also developed several other insights into how suggestion affects individuals: -
•    If a person wants to do something, but finds they cannot, the harder they try, the less they are likely to be able to achieve – this was summed up as always think positive.
•    "When the imagination and the will are in conflict, the imagination always wins" (an idea that explains for instance why people who want to stop smoking are unable to do so).
•    Ideas always tend to become reality;
•    Stronger emotions always overwhelm weaker emotions.

Deepener: 
Suggestions which deepen your hypnotic state.

Depth: 
See Hypnotic Depth.

Ego-Strengthening Suggestions:
Positive statements, affirmations or autosuggestions, designed to develop your personal potential, to make you more positive, and to assist you to overcome problems in your life. They are generally of the form, "When I emerge from hypnosis I will feel very good, very positive, and very refreshed, ready to face the rest of the day."  Or, "I will be able to …" "I will feel less …" etc.  See: Affirmations; Autosuggestions.

Emotional-Memories:
The Limbic System which has a role in motivation and emotions also has an important role in processing and recording memories. It is able to include the emotional suffering along with the memories of traumatic events to form emotional-memories, the strength of which determine whether the emotional-memory will produce a low, medium or high intensity emotional-experience. Since  Hypnosis is also connected to the Limbic System, it has the potential to be used to remove the emotional content of traumatic memories.

Endorphins:
These are biochemical opioids produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Like other opiates they inhibit the perception of pain and give a feeling of euphoria. Stimulated by hypnosis, as well as sweet fatty foods, exercise and sex. They are "feel good" chemicals!

False Memory: 
Artificial memories created either by the individual or another person, (often a therapist). These often become so realistic that the individual is absolutely convinced that the events associated with these false memories are real.

Fight or Flight Response:
The "fight or flight reaction” (Cannon 1932), sometimes called the "stress-reaction"  or  the  " fear-stress-reaction" is a condition which occurs when the body experiences severe stress. The term comes from the concept that, in the past, such situations could only be resolved by one of two basic responses, by fighting or running away. This is a natural process that prepares the body to cope with stress. When stressed the body activates two areas of the pituitary  gland. Vasopressin is released from the posterior, causing arteries to constrict, raising blood pressure, speeding up the heart-beat and breathing, increasing blood flow to muscles, and increasing levels of blood sugar, (glycogen) for use as a source of energy.

From the anterior of the pituitary ACTH, (adrenocorticotrophic hormone), is released, stimulating the adrenal cortex and the medulla. The cortex releases corticoids which stimulate the  pancreas to release insulin,  and from the liver, glycogen  and  glucose, which flood the body with sugars. Blood is drawn from the stomach and intestines and redirected to the skeletal-muscles. The  adrenal medulla releases adrenalin, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood cells, and the  level of blood sugar. Simultaneously, noradrenalin is released from the medulla constricting the arteries, boosting heart beat and  maintaining  high  blood  pressure. The anterior portion of the  pituitary gland also releases thyrotrophin which stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxine, increasing the sensitivity of the tissue to adrenaline and increasing the rate at which the cells burn oxygen.

All of the individual's physical responses are accentuated, hearing and vision operating at optimum levels, brain activity  increases dramatically, analyzing and dealing with incoming information at a much faster rate than normal. Overall  the  organism is stronger, faster and more alert than normal, preparing the individual to face danger, so that they are prepared to  either defend themselves ("fight"), or to run away, ("flight").

Since  the human body was never intended to maintain high levels of these corticoids, hormones and sugars, the physical activity produced by either the fighting, or fleeing, enabled the body to  burn  up  the  excess  hormones, sugars and corticoids,  ensuring  a  return  of these chemicals to a safe, normal base level. Unfortunately, while this process helped our ancient ancestors to survive, it is a destructive process for modern humans who no longer face dangerous, life-threatening events in their daily life. Most modern stress is of an emotional nature, personal upsets, etc. If someone at work upsets you, it is not possible to physically  attack them (fight) and you cannot run away (flight); you have to accept the stress of the situation.  You are also a victim of your own intellect, able to ruminate endlessly on past failures, or imagine a negative future filled with disasters. Such reasoning ensures that you maintain feelings of stress and retain the stress biochemicals in your body. You also face a daily cocktail of environmental pollutants,  stimulants, and a wide range of natural and synthetic compounds unknown to primitive humanity, all of which trigger various physical stress reactions.

This ongoing series of stressors cause long term physical and mental damage to the body. An effective means of counteracting such experiences is via the use of various relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques.

Fixation:
A technique of using a shiny object, or some other object such as a Mandala, or a Zen Garden, that is designed to attract the attention of the eyes, so that prolonged gazing upon the object produce a sensation of heaviness in the eyes, encouraging them to want to close.

Heterohypnosis:
Sometimes called Hetero-suggestion, the form of hypnosis when one person hypnotizes another person.

Homeostasis:
The natural ability of the body to create and maintain a state of physiological equilibrium. The organism constantly attempts to maintain normal levels of temperature, respiration, heart-beat, and the various chemicals and gases within the body. When the body is stressed the physiological balance is disturbed and the body immediately seeks to return to its normal levels.

Hypnogenic:
Any type of physical object, e.g. a watch, wand, etc., or a mental technique, that is used to assist in inducing an hypnotic state. The physical objects are usually not necessary for producing hypnosis, except where individuals who believe they need to see some ‘hypnotic device.’

Hypnagogic State:
A naturally occurring hypnotic-like condition that occurs when a person is falling asleep. As you proceed from an awakened condition towards sleep, your brain begins to "shut-down" and your sensory inputs are slowly reduced until you become fully asleep. It is often a time of brief feelings of uncertainty and vagueness, and you may experience brief hallucinations which may be triggered by sounds heard during this brief interlude. It is also an excellent time for inducing self-hypnotic suggestions to 'sleep on'.

Hypnopompic State:
The naturally occurring hypnotic condition that often occurs when one is in the intermediate condition between sleep and awakening; it is distinguished by the persistence of dreamlike imagery, carried over from the sleeping state. See: Hypnagogic State.  

Hypnosis:
A natural cognitive process, that occurs from 50 – 100 times every day, but without your being aware that the process is taking place. It is a subconscious psychophysiologic process, originating within the Ascending Reticular Activating System, (ARAS), and the Limbic System. It is produced by a reduction in the amount of this external stimuli being processed in the reticular activating system, (RA). The reduction in activity tends to generate a general feeling of relaxation and calmness; and further reductions in sensory input, combined with concentration, produces  pronounced feelings of restfulness, and a sense of well being, often accompanied by a type of daydreaming, or reverie; these feelings are aspects of a form of mental dissociation. While often called a "trance" a more appropriate term for this condition is an, "altered state of consciousness or "an altered state of awareness"; both common alternative terms for hypnosis. In general terms there are two types of hypnosis:-

1 Involuntary Hypnosis
this can be produced by Anaesthesia, Anger, Body rocking; Chanting or singing; Concentration; Daydreaming, reverie; Drugs; Ecstatic experiences; Hypnagogic or Hypnopompic; Intense concentration; Lack of sleep; Listening to music, repetitive drumming; Meditation, Naval gazing; Orgasm; Prayer, Reading; Shock; Sporting activities; Suggestion; Surfing the net; TM; Visualization; Yoga; Watching television or a movie, etc.

2 Voluntary Hypnosis Where you deliberately induce hypnosis yourself, or allow someone else to produce it. As such, it occurs in two forms: -
a. Self-Hypnosis or Autohypnosis; when you guide yourself into a hypnotic trance, and
 b.Heterohypnosis, where you allow another person to guide you into a hypnotic trance.

Hypnoptherapist:
A person who uses hypnosis as a means of treating various physical or psychological problems. They are usually professional people such as doctors, psychiatrists or psychologists.

Hypnotherapy:
Various hypnotic techniques designed to be used in the treatment of a wide range of physical or psychological problems. In this type of therapy the hypnosis is primarily used as
[a] a tool to either uncover hidden causes of problems,
[b] as a means of treating the problem,
or as is most often the situation, a combination of [a] and [b].  

Hypnotic Depth:
The level of trance reached by a subject during the hypnotic process. The depth generally increases as the person goes into hypnosis, then lessens as they near the end of the session, however, the depth can rise and fall throughout the hypnotic session, sometimes subjects tend to drift back upwards from a deep level, and, particularly with self-hypnosis, they may have to use a deepening technique to go back to the previous depth.  

Hypnotic Suggestibility: 
See Suggestibility.

Imagery:
The production of images in the mind. These can be visual pictures, auditory sounds or voices, kinetic experiences, olfactory (smell) or gustatory (taste), or a combination of several of these sensory modes. See: Visualization.  

Induction:
A general term for any process that enables you to go into hypnosis, e.g. the Induction Phase, is the first step in the hypnotic process.

Introspection:
Essentially "looking inwards" a process of self-exploration to discover hidden memories or circumstances in the past that were responsible for certain patterns of personal behaviour.

Mandala:
Usually a picture or a mat, containing a complex pattern, that is designed to draw your eyes to the centre of the image. A form of fixational image.  

Maxim:
A short saying expressing a general rule of conduct, e.g. Waste not, want not. These can often be used in a similar fashion to Metaphors.

Meditation:
A process that is similar to self-hypnosis. Sometimes used as a generic term for different forms of relaxation techniques, and, in particular to various Eastern techniques, designed to relax the mind and the body.  

Memory:
The recall of events, conversations and general topics that have been experienced in the past. Human memory is not fixed in the way that a video records everything exactly as it happened; rather it is subjective. Events are influenced by our emotional perception of events, on how we "saw" those events, not on how they actually were. Because memories involve a great deal of emotional content, when using Introspection techniques to recall past memories, you need to be prepared to deal with any negative emotional experiences that may emerge.

Metaphor:
A figure of speech in which one thing is identified with another, e.g. He was a tower of strength. Because the subconscious part of the mind uses symbolic representations rather than verbal language, metaphors are commonly used to convey our meanings to the subconscious. Thus, a common part of hypnosis involves the technique of visualization where an imaginary image is used to represent something else. For instance, if we wanted to search for hidden memories we might use a metaphor in which we imagine ourselves looking for hidden treasure; although we are not specifically telling the subconscious what we are looking for, nevertheless it "understands".

Parable:
A short story which illustrates a moral lesson, often using a metaphor.

Posthypnotic Suggestion:
A suggestion given while under hypnosis that is aimed to be carried out at some time after the subject has emerged from their hypnosis. When given during Heterohypnosis, they are often accompanied by a command that the subject will not recall the source of the direction.
 
Rapid Eye Movement (REM):
A subject under hypnosis often displays these movements of the eyes underneath the closed eyelids; they are also associated with deep levels of sleep.  

Self-Hypnosis:
A form of hypnosis where an individual performs their own hypnotic induction. Also known as Autohypnosis.

Sleep:
A term often used in connection with hypnosis, however, natural sleep is quite different from hypnotic 'sleep'. During sleep the senses close down, whereas in hypnosis they are heightened.

Stress:
From the old English word, "distress", stress is a natural process that occurs whenever an individual is confronted by any stressor, (a stressful event), whether physical or psychological. Stress can be produced by both negative or positive experiences.
Unpleasant, or negative stress, can be caused by: -
Assault, excessive exertion or exercise are all forms of physical stress;
The loss of a loved one, noise pollution, confrontation, monotony, deprivation, demotion, car accidents, traffic infringements, verbal abuse, an argument, a  disappointment, or unhappiness are all forms of psychological stress.

Positive stress occurs when an individual is participating in some pleasurable activity,  which  they  enjoy,  even though that activity might not be strenuous, or even dangerous.

Although stress  can range  in  intensity from low to high, the most important, and destructive aspect of stress, is its intensity, that is, the individual's psychological perception of the stressor which determines the degree of their response, e.g. while few people would be disturbed by a picture of a spider, arachnophobics would experience a severe physical and mental reaction. Their response is related to their emotional-memories, usually the result of being scared by a spider in the past.

Stressor:
Any situation or belief which causes the individual to experience stress.

Subconscious:
The mind is usually perceived as having two parts, the conscious and the subconscious, which is generally perceived as being the "deepest" part of the mind, a hidden part of the brain. It is primarily responsible for maintaining a whole range of autonomic processes, (tasks that you are normally unaware of). These include such things as ensuring your heart keeps beating, that you keep breathing, and that your body maintains an essential balance of chemicals, gases, temperature, blood sugars and other important processes. Hypnosis is one of the processes that operate at a subconscious level.

Suggestibility: Sometimes called "hypnotizability", it refers to the ability of an individual to enter hypnosis and respond to commands. The level of susceptibility, which can be measured by various tests, was once thought to be a constant level, however recent research suggests this is incorrect, and that it is possible to increase our level of hypnotizability with practice.

Trance:
An altered state of consciousness induced by the individual in self-hypnosis, or by a therapist in heterohypnosis.

Unconscious:
That area of the brain that contains all your memories, especially your emotional-memories, which produce certain patterns of behaviour based upon these  memories. The seat of your emotions, it directs much  of your behaviour without you being aware it is occurring. It controls our automatic processes and thinking, and receives two million messages of sensory awareness every second. See: Subconscious.

Visualization:
A technique where you create visual images, or imaginary scenes as part of your hypnotic inductions. Normally the terms "visual" and "visualization" refer to visual perception, things you see with our eyes, or visual images in your mind,  however, in hypnosis, the term relates to all forms of sensory impressions that you might create. Thus, for example, if you were to create a hypnotic scenario in which you were walking along a beach, in addition to being able to "see" the blue sky, and the water, you might  also include such sensory perceptions as feeling the warmth of the sun, and the hot sand underfoot; hearing the birds, smelling the briny sea or trees and flowers, these are all classified as visualizations.    

Visualization Therapy:
Technique in which the body's own healing forces are stimulated by conjuring up in the mind visual images of positive and pleasant thoughts, objects or scenes, as in day-dreaming. One well known version of this type of therapy is Simonton Visualization used to treat cancer patients. This technique used techniques such as having patients imagine their white blood cells were hungry sharks swimming through their bloodstream looking for, and devouring any cancer cells they encountered.

Yoga: 
An ancient Eastern technique that combines physical and mental exercises with the objective of achieving a state of mental calmness and physical relaxation. The various techniques used had a beneficial effect on the internal organs. Many of the exercises involved certain bodily posture and breathing routines. In many ways some of the Yogic practices were capable of inducing a condition similar to that of a self-hypnotic trance.  See: Fight or Flight.

Zen Garden:
A pleasant place or setting that provides a peaceful environment to assist you to relax. It can be outside, a part of a garden, or a quiet area indoors. Usually it has a few items to meditate upon and is useful for preparing a person for self-hypnosis or meditation. Any area that encourages and nurtures deep and contemplative thoughts. It does not have to be complex or elaborate, e.g. a single candlestick with a lit candle can be sufficient to provide such a setting.  See: Fixation.


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