Hypnosis and Meditation
Hypnosis and meditation are two techniques that are gaining respect in mainstream society as ways of altering consciousness that can lead to benefits for the individual. In your blog post please include 3 benefits each of hypnosis and meditation, your personal viewpoint and whether or not you have tried these techniques or would try them in the future. Please ensure that your post covers the learning outcomes related to this module:
Learning Outcomes
13.1 Discuss hypnosis, including its definition,
therapeutic value, and the ongoing controversy regarding whether it represents an
altered state of consciousness.
13.2 Describe how meditation works and the changes
that occur during meditation.
1
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness based on focus and reduced vision. When under hypnosis it is said that the person loses the power of voluntary action and responds very well to suggestions or commands. Psychology has therapeutic value because it can both help someone forget something or help them remember something important, it can also be used to relax people and calm them down. Some people think it can be a different state of consciousness that is almost like sleep but without falling asleep, because some of the factors include closing your eyes, relaxing your body and blocking out your surroundings. Meditation is very similar to hypnosis because it heads to the same state of consciousness but in meditation you take yourself on an imaginary journey, whereas in psychology you focus on a certain situation to either remember something or forget something. Meditation works differently for different people and like psychology there is different kinds of uses for it. Meditation is kind of like a special kind of rest for your mind, it can really help when your mind is so stressed that you can’t get very much rest even when sleeping. Some strange changes happen to your body when you meditate, for example, your heart roll actually slows down. When meditating your metabolic rate drops, your blood pressure drops, your muscles relax and your stress is reduced. When you meditate something happens to your brain as well, the beta waves in your brain slow down almost as if your brain is processing something.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jakob. I am wondering if you mean hypnosis when you say "Psychology has therapeutic value ...."? So what kind of conditions would either hypnosis or meditation be of value?
DeleteHypnosis is defined as inducing a state of consciousness where one supposedly loses the ability to perform a voluntary action. During this state one is highly responsive to the power of suggestion Hypnotherapy has helped many people with many problems. One of the main uses of hypnosis is for helping people break addictions or habits. Hypnosis is also commonly used for recovering repressed memories, as during the state of hypnosis you are too vulnerable to suggestion to keep such memories repressed. Hypnosis can also improve sleeping habits, as many sleeping disorders are linked to psychological problems, which can be alleviated with the use of hypnotherapy.
ReplyDeleteTo meditate is to focus your mind for a period of time, commonly done in silence, as it’s easier to clear your mind without distractions such as noise. Meditation can increase serotonin levels in the brain which may help with depression. Clearing your mind using meditation can help decrease the levels of aggressiveness that one may have. Meditation may also help with one’s ability to react to and/or deal with stressful events.
I personally don’t believe in hypnosis or meditation, however I believe soundly in placebo effects and that’s what I believe them to be. I suppose if I had a really bad problem that I needed to be dealt with I suppose I would try both hypnotherapy and meditation.
Hi Chance,
DeleteDiscuss more what you mean by the placebo effect being responsible for the effects of hypnosis and meditation.
A placebo effect occurs when somebody believes that they are receiving a treatment when they are not. Because the perceive that they are receiving the treatment, they receive the effects of the imaginary treatment. I don't believe that hypnosis or meditation can effect somebody directly. However I do believe that they can put placebo effects onto patients.
DeleteThanks for clarifying.
DeleteYou forgot the period between suggestion and hypnotherapy
DeleteHypnosis is a daze-like state of increased awareness to the suggestions of others. Hypnosis offers therapeutic value because it can treat psychological disorders, improves athletic performance, helps stop smoking, helps witnesses and victims remember details from crime scenes, and controls/decreases pain. Hypnosis may also show an altered state of consciousness. Some scientists believe it represents a state of consciousness much more different from others. Since there is higher suggestibility and an increased ability to recall situations. There are also changes through electrical activity in the brain which means hypnosis may be a state of consciousness different from regular waking.
ReplyDeleteMeditation is a form of helping people refocus which produces an altered state of consciousness. Meditation is usually presented with the repetition of a sound, word, or syllable. It may also be a picture or body part. The main idea of meditation is to concentrate hard and become unaware of their surroundings. This becomes a different state of consciousness. Many people feel relaxed after meditation and find it helpful to solving their problems. Meditation is used in many cultures and can help relax many people.
What other cultures commonly use meditation?
DeleteHypnosis is defined as, “An artificially induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction.” Theories of what happens in hypnosis is characterized into two categories. The first is, “Altered-state” where hypnosis is seen as an altered state of mind or trance, marked by a level of awareness different from the ordinary conscious state. The second being, “Non-state” people who undergo hypnosis are able to convince themselves to believe a certain way and this occurs cognitively and not due to an altered state of consciousness. The debate on whether hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness continues to be argued .The debate question is: How much different from the baseline state would hypnosis have to be in order to be classified as an altered state of consciousness? Various methods are being used to determine how to measure hypnosis. Neuro-imaging is being used including PET and fMRI scans. These tests allow one to see activity in the brain during hypnosis and without hypnosis. At this point in time, there is no clear answer. The therapeutic value of hypnosis is the ability to alter people's experience becomes easier. Thus, age regression can be used to revisit personal historical events that needed addressing in a safe way. Phobias built upon traumatic experience can be approached in this manner. The term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices (much like the term sports) that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (qi (life force-air), ki (palm healing or hands-on-healing), prana (cosmic energy from the sun), etc.) and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. Meditation involves the slowing of the mind. Slower wavelengths = more time between thoughts = more opportunity to skillfully choose which thoughts you invest in and what actions you take. There are different categories of brainwaves that we go through to get to the “meditation brainwave”. We are able to begin meditation at the Theta State: (4 - 8Hz). This is the point where the verbal/thinking mind transitions to the meditative/visual mind. We begin to move from the planning mind to a deeper state of awareness (often felt as drowsy), with stronger intuition, more capacity for wholeness and complicated problem solving. The theta state is associated visualization.
ReplyDeleteBenefits of Hypnosis: Can improve treatment success of phobias, fears, and anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, stress, post-trauma anxiety, grief and loss, etc. Benefits of meditation: De-stress, lower blood pressure, improve emotional stability, etc.
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a very comprehensive response. I'm wondering if you would ever try either meditation or hypnosis?
Cheers,
Mrs. Larson
I don't think I would try hypnosis, but I would try meditation, it seems like a very relaxing state of being reinforcing some good key values, compassionate, love, calm way of being.
DeleteShyenne: Hypnosis and meditation
ReplyDeleteHypnosis: (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypnosis?s=t) An artificially induced trance state resembling sleep, characterized by heightened susceptibility to suggestion. There are many different ways to gain therapeutic value from hypnosis, one being that while you are undergoing childbirth you can be hypnotized to think that the pain is not as severe as you are really feeling it. Moreover, hypnotism can help with any kind of pain and can even be taught to patients to hypnotize themselves. Hypnotism can also be very beneficial for relaxation. Though hypnotism can be seen as both an altered state of consciousness and the contrary, neither side has been proven to be the correct definition of consciousness and has been since thought of as a lying continuum of both sides.
Meditation: (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditation?s=t) Continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation. Meditation brings out an altered state of consciousness while working to refocus the brain. To achieve full meditation you sit by yourself in a an empty room and repeat a mantra which is a syllable, sound, or word (Commonly used “one”) to focus. You can also focus on an object such as a candle flame or part of your body. The object of meditation is the concentrate on that word or flame or body part so intently that you become unaware of your surroundings, any outside stimulus and get to another state of consciousness. People have reported feeling very relaxed as a common reaction but some people have also feeling more in tune with themselves and also might have figured out a decision that they weren’t sure about until that point.
Hi Shyenne,
DeleteWhat are some of the practical benefits of meditation?
Cheers,
TLL
Hypnosis is defined as losing your ability to perform voluntary actions. This is inaccurate the patient maintains there free will while hypnotized well as that they are not in a lowered state of consciousness they are in fact in a higher state of consciousness. In fact hypnosis is a common state of mind it is whenever you are lost in thought and you allow your mind to wander. The difference between hypnosis and meditation is that hypnosis is used to reprogram the mind and meditation is used to calm and clear the mind. Meditation is the process of focusing thought towards one thing such as a sound a thought or a visualization. The practical applications of meditation vary among different people but there are a few common benefits such as lower blood pressure, better sleep, faster healing, less anxiety, stronger immune system and lower cholesterol. They both have practical uses and are considered legitimate but their usefulness is somewhat controversial
ReplyDeleteHi Bjorn,
DeleteThanks for your response. You are correct in identifying hypnosis as a common state of mind. What are some of the benefits of hypnosis?
Cheers,
TLL
Hypnosis is a state of heightened relaxation in which a person can’t voluntary move, and is highly responsive to what people around them suggest. It’s used in therapy, typically to uncover suppressed memories or to modify behavior by suggestion. It was designed to relax patients and focus their minds. Although not everyone agrees hypnosis is controversial many people believe it helps manage and, in some cases, eliminate illness. Hypnosis has been known to help treat addiction, reduce stress, and can help cure sleep disorders. Many people claim that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness that is different from normal waking consciousness. Some theorists argue that the effects of suggestions can be experienced with or without the prior administration of a hypnotic induction and ask "what is the necessity for an altered state?” Meditation is to think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. Meditation helps to relax and reduce stress. It’s been thought to increase in mindfulness, happiness, care, and empathy for others. Some believe meditation also helps with problem solving.
ReplyDeleteHypnosis is a state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced awareness of the things around you. Also while in a hypnotic state you have an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion. There are two main groups of theories explaining what happens during hypnosis. The “Altered State” theories look at hypnosis as an altered state of mind or trance. It is considered different state of consciousness than normal. “Non-State” theories see hypnosis as a form of imaginative role-enactment. People are said to have heightened focus and concentration during it. Hypnosis can help people to remember certain things as well as be more open during therapy. Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains their mind or creates a mode of consciousness. The term meditation refers to the variety of the practice. Meditation often involves the internal effort to self-regulate the mid in some way. Meditation is the learned technique for refocusing attention and entering an altered state of consciousness. Meditation usually consists of repeating a “mantra” over and over. Regardless of the nature of the stimulus the procedure when done properly will result in the meditator becoming unaware of any outside stimulation. People during this state are usually quite relaxed and have new insights towards themselves.
ReplyDeleteHypnosis is a state of consciousness that involves focused attention and the ability to concentrate on thoughts and memory. Its therapeutic values focuses on people’s attention, feelings, attitude etc… when someone is hypnotized they really don’t think for themselves and lose control on how they act. Hypnosis can reduce stress by putting you in a deep state of relaxation, it can help overcome phobias, depression etc… It gives you a chance to heal yourself. Meditation is a calming mind exercise that is very spiritual. People’s emotions change while meditating, for example…you can go from being very stressed and angry to calm. Many medical issues can be detoxed while performing. Your anxiety decreases, eases your high blood pressure and helps depression. Meditation involves an emotional state for analyzing more intense emotions like anger, hate, jealousy etc… meditation may involve repeating a mantra with closed eyes. Meditation is very relaxing, some people have been known to almost ‘zone out’ or be non-responsive coming from a personal experience.
ReplyDelete-Alex
Riley Novak
ReplyDeleteHypnosis: a state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion. The therapeutical value of this is it could stop pain. For example, if you go to a hypnotist and he hypnotizes you in a certain way, and hurts you, you wouldn’t feel the pain because you’re hypnotized but the pain is still there. Not all people are able to be hypnotized though, only about 5-20% are able to and others may fake it. Hypnotists can make you feel and do things you wouldn’t normally do while conscious. Hypnosis has not proven to be a state of waking or a state of consciousness.
Meditation: a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a kind of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content. For meditation to work you need to be completely focused and calm with your eyes closed and in a good environment. It may be done sitting, or in an active way. Being under meditation, you may not realize it, but you could come to a decision about something, cleared your hatred for someone/something and is often used to clear the mind and ease many health issues, such as high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety.
Hypnosis: an artificially induced trance state resembling sleep, characterized by heightened susceptibility to suggestion. Not all people can be hypnotized, about 5-20% of the worlds’ population cannot be hypnotized. You can also lie while being hypnotized and it is false that hypnotist have complete control over you. On another note, hypnotists can influence you to do things you wouldn’t normally do in waking consciousness. This is a big question among psychologists is, is hypnosis a waking state of the mind or another state of consciousness. But the answer is, neither. Hypnosis has not been proven to be a state of waking or another state of consciousness. Though both sides have theories supporting. One therapeutic value of hypnosis would be helping patients relieve pain, a hypnotist hypnotizes a patient into believing they don’t feel the pain.
ReplyDeleteMeditation: Getting into the state of meditation there has to be complete concentration and must focus on a sound, word, or syllable repetitively. There are other forms of mediation using some objects that can be focused on such as a picture, flame, or a certain area in your body. During meditation when you have reached complete meditation, you gain relaxation, new insight about yourself, healthier attitude.
Hypnosis: A mental state or imaginative role-enactment (depending on what your views are) in which you feel very relaxed or dazed. Peripheral vision can be blurred and focus is usually very specific. It is induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preparation instructions and suggestions. Hypnosis can help with heightening your memory of a certain occurrence, helping to recall details you forgot. Many also say it helps release your feelings unlike how you would in a completely conscious way. Pain severity has also been known to be helped by hypnosis. Many psychologists believe hypnosis is a completely different state of consciousness, combining the sleep-like relaxation with the person still technically being awake. But others believe that hypnosis is nothing but a relaxed, suggestive state in which the patients believe they are extremely relaxed because they are told and know that’s what they should be. Meditation simply means to focus one's mind for a period of time, either in silence or accompanied by words, music, or hand gestures. During meditation you feel very relaxed. Your heart rate slows down as well as brain waves and metabolic rate.
ReplyDeleteHypnosis is a state of consciousness involving being guided into a relaxed state so that your subconscious mind is open to accepting new suggestions and programming. Hypnosis therapy can be used to help quit smoking, weight loss, childbirth and many other healing type therapies. It can help calm fears and remove bad habits from your subconscious mind. In the hypnosis state you will be very calm and be able to overcome your problems. I would try hypnosis just to see if it would work and see if it really is beneficial. Though it can take more than one session to break some habits. Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or as an end in itself. Meditation seems very spiritual and relaxing. Meditation can help in mood change, such as reduce your stress levels. I would most likely try meditation to reduce some stress and see if it will make me happier and in a better state of mind.
ReplyDelete13.1: Hypnotherapy is a medical technique/therapy, which induces a state of sub consciousness in which a person is said to lose control over making voluntary actions and instead relies on suggestion or direction to cue their actions, also known as hypnosis. It is typically used to recover suppressed and/or subconscious memories, or to alter one’s mood or mindset. The word “hypnosis” comes from a combination of the Greek word “hupnos”, which means sleep, and the English extension “osis”, first recognized sometime in the late 19th century.
ReplyDeleteIt is often referred to as pseudoscience due to its controversial methods and undisclosed effectiveness. Some believe that it’s simply the placebo effect taking place. But due to the difficultly of being able to actually study and confirm the authenticity of these methods, we may never know for sure.
13.2: Meditation is a technique used to induce a specific mode of consciousness upon one’s self, usually practiced as a method of relieving stress. It is widely believed that meditation works as a sophisticated form of relaxation which creates a parasympathetic response within the body. This counteracts sympathetic responses in the body; which are responsible for stress; by reducing the release of stress hormones like cortisol, and slowing the heart rate, improving blood flow.