By Jane Pendry from Sense-Ability Hypnotherapy & Coaching

This article was published in the Journal for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy in January 2024.

Hypnosis is not magic. It is not other worldly or supernatural. Hypnosis can be explained perfectly rationally through understanding brainwaves.

However when we ease down into those alpha to theta brain wave states we are more susceptible to suggestion, whether induced by a Taylor Swift song, a captivating book, a wily politician, a hell-fire preacher, or a social media algorithm that taps into our hopes and dreams.

Beware the power of algothithms

It’s why we must be aware of the power of algorithms spreading conspiracy theories, or social media influencers sowing hatred and discord. We must master the use of these powerful, natural, brain waves in order to master our minds.

Hypnosis and Brain Waves

The human brain is a powerful organ that functions through the complex interplay of electrical signals. These signals, known as brain waves, fall into distinct patterns, each broadly associated with different mental states and activities. 

Some specific brain waves are actively observed during hypnosis. Understanding a little of the science helps to de-mystify hypnosis and explains how hypnotherapists work with natural brain wave states to help people heal, resolve problems, change behaviours and create a better future. 

1. Beta Brainwaves

Let’s start with the most common brain waves we observe in the active, waking state - beta waves.

Beta waves typically occur during waking hours. They have a frequency range of 12 to 30 Hertz (Hz) and are associated with focused mental activity, alertness, and logical thinking.

In hypnotherapy, beta waves play a role during the initial stages of relaxation and preparation. Clients need to understand the processes involved in order to give informed consent to undertake hypnosis in this directed way. They also discuss the issues they want resolved, or their hopes, aspirations and dreams while in this very conscious, alert beta brain wave state.

2. Alpha Brainwaves

Alpha waves have a frequency range of 8 to 12 Hz. These waves, present when we are in a deeply relaxed and calm state, and are associated with a sense of peace, creative flow, and increased receptivity to suggestions. 

During hypnotherapy, clients ease into the alpha brain wave state which gently begins to open their mind to new suggestions, new ways of perceiving and experiencing the world, and potential new solutions to old problems.

Creativity and Flow

Engaging in creative activities like painting, playing a musical instrument, or brainstorming ideas can stimulate alpha waves. These brain waves are associated with enhanced creativity and a focused but relaxed state. Spending time in nature can also induce alpha brain wave states. The calming effects of trees and plants, the sounds of the wind through the leaves, watching waves break against the beach, and the absence of distractions, all contribute to creating the relaxed alpha brainwave state. It’s why hypnotherapists often include this kind of imagery into their hypnosis sessions. 

The presence of alpha waves varies in different individuals, and different activities or techniques can induce them to varying degrees. The ability to consciously access alpha brain wave states can be developed through regular practice of relaxation techniques, meditation, mindfulness, walking in nature, playing sports or engaging in enjoyable hobbies.

3. Theta Brainwaves

Theta brain waves have a lower frequency range of 4 to 8 Hz.

Theta waves are typically experienced during states of deeper relaxation, meditation, and light sleep. This state is characterized by a deep sense of relaxation, inner calm, and heightened introspection. Theta waves facilitate a deeper connection with one’s subconscious mind and can be conducive to spiritual experiences where we feel connected to others and a wider world.

We sometimes describe being in a state of flow, where ideas, inspiration and solutions flow effortlessly. In sport, this state of flow is associated with high level performance. These natural states involve the flow of theta brain waves.

Theta waves are also associated with the dream-like state experienced during hypnosis. In this induced theta brain wave state, the mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and is capable of exploring deep-rooted emotions and changing negative beliefs.

If the subconscious mind is to access our deeper subconscious during hypnotherapy sessions, it is essential that clients reach this theta state. While brain waves can be measured and seen to operate within a given bandwidth, the experience of being in hypnosis is subjective. Most people do access this hypnotic trance state during the first hypnosis session, for others it may take some practice. Others may access this state, but don’t recognise it as they expect something more ‘other-worldly’ than it is.

Meditation and Mindfulness

This deeper, dream-like theta brain wave state can also be experienced during meditation and mindfulness: 

Hypnotherapy sessions usually aim to induce theta brain waves. As clients enter a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, theta waves become more prominent. In this state, the subconscious mind becomes more accessible, allowing the hypnotherapist to guide the client to imagine and rehearse new patterns of thinking, reacting and behaving.

Moving between alpha and theta brains

Often clients move between the alpha and theta brain wave states, hearing some things the hypnotherapist says, and not others. Sometimes clients ease down close to sleep - even falling asleep - and back to a relaxed and aware state. This normal but transitory theta state only feels extraordinary if a highly stressed client has not been able to access these feelings naturally for some time. But make no mistake, experiencing theta waves is a very natural and recognisable normal states of consciousness.

Theta waves and creativity

We also experience theta waves during moments of increased creativity and insight. Artists, musicians, writers, and inventors often experience moments of inspiration and “aha” insights when their brain waves shift to the theta frequency. It is during these moments that innovative ideas and creative solutions may emerge. Some research suggests theta brain waves play a role in high performance sport. When we hear sports people describe being in a ‘state of flow’ its likely they have high levels of theta brain wave activity.

Rapid Eye Movement Dream Sleep

Most commonly we talk about theta brain waves as being observed during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This is the stage of sleep characterized by vivid dreaming, where we process our emotions through metaphor and visual images without any conscious attention. During this phase, theta waves contribute to the dream-like state that helps to facilitate the processing of emotions, memories and problems.

Famous Russian scientist, Mendeleev, had been working on the Periodic Table for some time. He was struggling with the last few elements and could not make his organisational table work. One night, he went to sleep exhausted, and dreamed how the elements should be laid out. When he work up, he had solved the puzzle. And with very few later alterations and additions, this is how it has stayed. He accessed the theta brain wave state during REM dream sleep and solved his tricky problem.

Guided visualizations and imagery

When engaging in guided imagery exercises or visualization techniques, individuals also often enter a theta brain wave state. Theta waves can be readily induced when we are immersed in vivid, calming mental imagery, which often includes descriptions of soothing sounds and sensations. These visualisations open the mind to suggestions and changing patterns of thinking, breaking old habits and imagining and embedding new healthier patterns of behaviour. However, our core values, beliefs and motivations stay the same.

It’s important to note that the theta brain wave state can vary in intensity and depth from person to person. Some people are better able to visualise than others for example. Some individuals naturally have more prominent theta waves during waking hours - perhaps those people who are pursuing creative or sporting careers. Others may need to learn and practice specific techniques to enter this state. 

With regular practice of relaxation techniques, meditation, guided visualization, or regular hypnotherapy with a trained and accredited hypnotherapist, most people can cultivate their ability to readily access theta brain wave states, and more quickly tap into their subconscious mind. Then they are able to solve problems, find potential new solutions, generate ideas or be more creative.

4. Delta Brainwaves

Delta waves have a slower frequency range still, typically below 4 Hz. They are predominantly observed during deep sleep and are associated with restorative processes, physical healing, and rejuvenation. In certain therapeutic applications, delta wave induction may be utilized to help individuals overcome insomnia or chronic pain.

A few clients do fall into a deep sleep during hypnotherapy. Generally, this indicates they are extremely stressed, exhausted, or close to burn out. It’s not a bad thing, as it enables clients to get some of the restorative sleep they need. These clients often benefit from recordings they can listen to at night to help them get the sleep they need and to prime them for hypnotherapy sessions.

5. Gamma and Mu Brainwaves

Gamma waves have the highest frequency range, typically above 30 Hz. They are associated with heightened focus, information processing, and cognitive functioning. Recent studies show that gamma waves are also associated with hypnosis but that’s where it gets complicated. Another subject for another day.

Mu waves are rarely discussed. They fall in the range of 8-13 Hz and arise from large groups of neurons in the brain. Recently they have been associated with mirror neuron activity. Mirror neurons are specialized neurons that “mirror” the actions and behaviour of other people and they are implicated in neurocognitive functions such as social cognition, language and empathy.

Perhaps our empathy and compassion for our clients impacts these waves, but this doesn’t appear to have been researched yet.

How Does Hypnotherapy Help?

Hypnotherapy involves guiding individuals into a state of heightened suggestibility, either through guided meditations, conversational hypnosis, confusion techniques or a number of other methods.

During a hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist may use a variety of relaxation techniques, visualization exercises, and soothing auditory cues to gradually shift the client’s brain waves from beta to alpha and eventually theta waves. This transition helps the client enter a safe, natural, deep state of relaxation and receptivity, where the subconscious mind can be accessed and positive suggestions can be implemented. The client then generally shifts between the two states during the session.

Brainwaves pay a vital role in hypnosis

Brainwaves are integral to our mental states and play a vital role in the efficacy of hypnotherapy. By understanding the distinct patterns of brain waves, hypnotherapists can guide individuals into the state of heightened suggestibility in a controlled way. They can also reassure clients by explaining the science behind hypnosis. 

Varying frequencies

Its important to note that, as brain waves are just oscillating waves of varying frequencies. Our brains aren’t usually in a fixed state.

Brain waves ease from one frequency to another and back again. Different parts of our mind may utilise different wave functions at the same time so its a much more complicated picture than described here.

This basic understanding helps us understand broadly what is happening in the brain as we ease in to relaxation, then hypnosis (prayer, meditation etc.), and then down to light and deep sleep.

Our minds are plastic

Our minds are plastic, wiring and re-wiring all the time. Hypnotherapy enables clients to consciously come to the therapist with an idea of the problems they wish to resolve, and the dreams the hope to achieve. Armed with their values and beliefs, clients know the hypnotherapist is there to direct the unconscious minds of their clients, and to help them counter the negative hypnotic suggestions they encounter day by day, for example gambling adverts, toxic TikTok, or bullying bosses. 

Training and strengthening the mind

Hypnotherapy with a trained, accredited hypnotherapist, is not about losing control, or handing control over to the therapist. Quite the reverse. It’s about training and strengthening your mind and using the natural rhythms of the brain to take back control over thoughts, actions and reactions.

Where positive changes can be made at a subconscious level. Whether it’s inducing alpha waves for relaxation or exploring the depths of the theta wave state to change deep rooted negative patterns of thinking, understanding and utilizating brain waves in hypnotherapy opens up new possibilities for personal growth and transformation.

Jane Pendry is a trained and accredited Solution Focused Hypnotherapist who specialises in emetophobia and other complex phobias, and has extensive experience with trauma resolution and other anxiety related disorders.

References

Brain Waves and Hypnosis: https://m1psychology.com/brain-waves-and-hypnosis/ by PhD, BA (Hons) Psychology, C Teach, JP (Qual) Qld, MAPS

Brain Oscillations, Hypnosis, and Hypnotizability: National Library of Medicine (US): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361031/ by Mark P. Jensen, Tomonori Adachi, and Shahin Hakimian

Brain Oscillations, Hypnosis, and Hypnotizability: Mark P. Jensen, Tomonori Adachi, and Shahin Hakimian https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361031/

Jane Pendry

DSFH, HPD; Reg CNHC, AfSFH, MNCH, ABNLP, ABH, IARTT; BA Hons (London), PGCE (Cantab)
Sense-Ability Hypnotherapy & Coaching, Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1XJ
Jane@sense-ability.co.uk
+44 (0)7843 813 883

www.sense-ability.co.uk