For years, hypnotists have had to struggle with the question "Is hypnosis real?" For a long time, we lacked the scientific ability to actually study the mind of a hypnotic subject to really see what was going on. We know now, that hypnosis isn't something that was invented in a laboratory (or the hut of some voodoo doctor as some would say) rather hypnosis is a natural human state that was observed, and then later, labelled as hypnosis.

Recent scientific studies conducted by Neuroscientist Avi Mendelsohn, amongst other researchers, at the Weizmann Institute in Israel on the subject of Hypnosis, Memory and the Brain (published in Scientific America here) demonstrated that the mind does enter into a different state, not associated with sleep or wakefulness. This altered state of consciousness appears to tap into more of the unconscious, creative parts of the mind than are normally accessed in a fully wakeful state.

As a scientist myself and a pragmatic teacher of hypnosis, I work hard to present hypnosis from a scientific perspective, only stating as fact those things that have been proven through legitimate scientific research, and not just common hype or hearsay.

Using the Emotiv Epoc EEG headset, an electroencephalograph device, I have conducted demonstrations with our very own Houston Area Hypnosis Group, where we have been able to map brain activity of subjects before, during and after hypnosis inductions and trance states to see how the minds activity changes during these exercises.

These are significant breakthroughs in the field of Hypnosis, because it provides scientific proof that what we do is not "mumbo jumbo" but a real human ability, that can be harnessed to produce lasting positive change in the lives of ourselves and our subjects.

As you run across similar articles about scientific studies in the field of Hypnosis, please share them with me and the rest of the group.

That's all I have for now.

Michael C. White, C.Ht.