Why it works

The central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord is the ultimate seat of control for the human organism. It processes and responds to information received by our senses. Our experience of the outside world is generally through the sensory organs of our peripheral nervous system. Changes are transmitted between the peripheral and the central nervous systems, thus connecting our brain to the “outside world”.

The autonomic nervous system is the part of our brain that regulates all aspects of our normal bodily function. Most of the time, we do not notice it working to adapt to the conditions around us, cooling us in hot conditions and maintaining body temperature when it is cold. It regulates all of our internal organs and functions including heart rate, respiration rate, digestion, excretion and sexual responses. It is also crucial in the perception of pain.

Messages are transmitted by the nervous system as neurons, which can conduct nerve impulses from one part of the body to another at speeds of 130 metres per second. However, the normal transmission of these nerve impulses can be altered by disease, drugs, physical pressure and stress.

The disruption of these messages can lead to many medical conditions, including Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hypertension, Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Various Neuroses, Migraine Headaches, Anxiety and Depression.

The role of the nervous system also extends to control aspects of the skin, muscle functions, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system and endocrine system (hormone production).

Research has shown that during the Hypnotic trance, we can also affect the transmission of these nerve impulses and thus take back some control to alleviate these problems, and also to affect the transmission of the “pain” messages to induce anaesthesia/analgesia.

Another aspect of major influence is our long term memories, stored in our unconscious memory. These memories can influence our current behaviour and belief systems to bring about undesired behaviours or conditions. Hypnosis can allow us to more easily access these memories to both understand causality and if necessary ‘re-program’ the unconscious to mind to bring about positive and beneficial change.

Suggestions given to the unconscious mind during Hypnosis are more successful because they are not filtered or analysed by the conscious mind.