A presupposition pre supposes or assumes a truth, fact or condition.

We use presupposition quite frequently in both Hypnosis and NLP. By making a statement about a desired state or expected response, which pre supposes or assumes that the desired state already exists, or that the expected response/behavior is already being exhibited, we create a ‘belief’ scenario in our subjects that acts like a hypnotic suggestion.

When we hear a presupposition, whether or not we register it consciously, our subconscious mind may try to test the assumption, however if the correct language patterns are used, then the subconscious mind will accept the presupposition as being true and will manifest the assumed state or behavior.

Let me give you a couple of examples to demonstrate what I mean. If I were to walk up to someone on the street and say to them “Go deeper into trance.”, they would probably look at me like some kind of weirdo and walk away from me as quickly as possible. However, if I were to approach someone, and introduce myself as a “Hypnotist” and then say to them, “Take a deep breath, and feel your body relaxing. And because you are able to relax in this way, it means that as you close your eyes, you go even deeper into trance.”

In this example, I have created the appropriate context to allow hypnosis to occur. Simply by introducing myself as a “hypnotist” presupposes that something ‘hypnotic’ is going to happen. Then I utilize a ’cause/effect’ language pattern to create a belief; The ‘Cause’ (“Take a deep breath, and feel your body relaxing”); The ‘Effect” and “Presupposition” (“And because you are able to relax in this way, it means that as you ‘close your eyes’ (embedded commend), you go even deeper into trance. (presupposes that they are already in trance).”)

When I ask them to take a deep breath, they will naturally begin to relax. It’s a physiological certainty. They experience relaxation and know that what I’m saying is true. Then I use the linguistic bridge ‘it means’ and tie that truth to the presupposition, that they are relaxing because they are in trance.

So you see, presupposition can be used as a form of ‘waking suggestion’ to create less resistance and achieve the desired outcome.

However, there is danger in the use of presupposition when formulating a theory about a technique or approach to creating hypnotic phenomenon. Just as the placebo affect can mask the effectiveness of some drugs during clinical trials, presupposition can mask the effectiveness or perceived understanding of some hypnotic techniques.

For example. One of my students sent me a link to a YouTube video, where Dr. Escudero demonstrates a method for achieving hypnotic anesthesia/analgesia. The video is very interesting and compelling to watch (see the video here: http://youtu.be/Q5peeHZ1xFc) however, Dr. Escudero’s explanation about what is happening and why is riddled with presupposition.

First, as a medical doctor, he has already established a position of authority, so already whatever he says will be accepted as true by his subjects, in most cases. He begins the lecture by saying “You know the first condition to obtain Psychological Analgesia is to have a wet mouth as a sign of vagal muscarinic (creating saliva)” then continuing with his ’cause/effect’ language pattern “…that means you are living in a Positive Biological Response.” First he create the presupposition that the subjects know that having a wet mouth will help them to obtain analgesia (waking suggestion) and then he has them generate saliva in their mouths. If they buy into the presupposition, and they are able to create saliva, then he has effectively created an anchor to generating saliva for creating analgesia.

He then continues in the video to demonstrate that the suggestion has taken effect by piercing needles through the arms of the subjects and then having them expand the analgesic affect to their entire body. He does something else that is highly effective, which is placing a suggestion in the subjects mind that he only has to make the suggestion one time for it to be effective, this helps to commit the suggestion without the need for compounding (however the suggestion is automatically compounded each time the subject salivates) and bypasses any fears that the subject may have that the suggestion, and therefore its effectiveness, may be short term (since he is helping them to achieve analgesia for child birth and cannot be with them all the time).

His technique is highly effective; however, I question the validity of his theory, that it’s the activation of the vagal nerve which is responsible. I believe it’s a ‘cart before the horse’ question. The vagal nerve (also known as the ‘Cranial Nerve’ or ‘Wondering Nerve’) controls many physiological responses in the body, Heart Rate, Breathing, Digestion, and yes, salivation, amongst other things. So here is my question. Is it the salivation response that is creating the hypnotic context, or is it the hypnotic context that is creating the physiologic response?

In the short videos, we don’t see any of the pre-talk or lecture leading up to the demonstration, so we don’t know what beliefs have been created or suggested, or if any formal induction has been performed (not that a formal induction is needed). Given the context of the lecture and demonstration, I believe he could have told them any ‘x’ could cause any ‘y’ and they would have accepted it as true.

A true test of this theory about the vagal response being tied to hypnotic context would be to test the theory in a controlled environment. However, even in a controlled environment it would be difficult to avoid presupposition, because the moment the subject made the connection between your desire to have them salivate and then for them to experience analgesia, a presupposition would be realized and could impact the outcome of the test.

All that being said, does it matter whether or not it’s a placebo effect or the vagal response that helps the subject experience and control analgesia/anesthesia in their body? Not at all, as long as the subject can obtain the desired results. The ‘truth’ only matters in scientific study of the processes involved and their relationship to the outcome, which is really only of significant interest to geeks like me.

I hope you found this newsletter of value and that it helps you to be aware of presuppositions that you make and others make toward you, as well as the power they have and their effectiveness in hypnosis. If you would like to discuss this further, then bring it up at a meeting, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

If you would like to learn more about the language patterns used in the referenced video, or in conversational hypnosis in general, then plan to attend my 2-day seminar on December 1-2, 2012. As paid members of the Houston Area Hypnosis Group, you get an automatic $100 discount off of the public price for this seminar, so your cost is only $199 for 2 full days of intense training and practical application. To register with your discount go to:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QJUWABEUHVHDN

That’s all for now.

Michael C. White, C.Ht.