Rewiring the Mind: The Science of Neuroplasticity and Hypnosis
The Malleable Brain
For a long time, it was believed that the adult brain was fixed —that our habits, reactions and ways of thinking were set in stone. We now know that the truth is far more hopeful. Our brains possess a remarkable quality called neuroplasticity.
From a neurobiological understanding, the brain has a malleability shaped by the experience of a person’s subjective world and, crucially, what they focus on (Young, 2003). Your brain is not a static machine; it is a living landscape that constantly changes its "architecture" based on the mental paths you walk most often.
Focus as an Architect
When we feel stuck in a loop of anxiety, a limiting habit, or a self-sabotaging narrative, we are essentially treading the same neural path over and over until it becomes a deep, automatic groove. Because your brain is so responsive to your subjective experience, what you focus on eventually influences your physical biology and your outward behaviour (Yapko, 2003).
This is where the power of change lies: by changing your internal focus and subjective experience, you can actually begin to shift the architecture of the brain and, ultimately, your future experiences.
Hypnosis: A Shortcut to Re-focusing
If neuroplasticity is the how of change, hypnosis is often the where.
Trance, through hypnosis, is essentially about re-focussing the mind and creating an alternative reality that better fits the individual (Alter and Sugarman, 2017). By vividly imagining and feeling a new way of thinking and being while in a state of deep, intentional focus, you are providing your brain with the blueprint it needs to build new neural pathways.
By stepping out of the way of our own conscious resistance (overthinking, rationalising, analysing), we allow the unconscious to do the vital work of reorganising our thoughts, feelings and behaviours in service of our goals.
Science at the Forefront of Change
While the experience of hypnosis is often one of deep relaxation and creativity, it has historically been at the forefront of the science regarding how the mind changes (Alter and Sugarman, 2017). It provides a safe, supportive environment to reshape your subjective experience, ensuring that your life is driven by your current potential rather than your past patterns.
Further Reading & References
Alter, D. S. and Sugarman, L. I. (2017). ‘Reorienting Hypnosis Education’, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 59 (3), pp. 235-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2016.1231657
Yapko, M. (2003) Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis, third edition. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Young, K. (2023). Why What You Focus On Becomes Powerful – Why Your Thoughts and Feelings Matter. Available from: https://www.heysigmund.com/why-what-you-focus-on-is-what-becomes-powerful-why-your-thoughts-and-feelings-matter.
