Hypnosis

Hypnosis: state of
awareness characterized
by deep relaxation,
heightened suggestibility,
and focused attention.

Hypnotist suggests
changes in sensations,
thoughts, behavior, and
perceptions…person (often)
experiences them.
Hypnosis Theories
State Theory (Unsupported by Research):
Says: hypnosis is an altered state of
consciousness - participants enter a
trance-like level of consciousness and the
hypnotist has control of their
“subconscious.”
Hypnosis Theories: Based on Research
SOCIAL INFLUENCE THEORY
Hypnosis = social phenomenon: participants are
doing what’s expected of them - they are acting how
they think they’re supposed to act when hypnotized.
Hypnosis = a socially acceptable reason to follow
certain suggestions.
This theory says: pain relief from hypnosis is caused
by normal shift/split in selective attention:
Ex: Pain not felt during soccer game.
Hypnosis Theories: Based on Research
Dissociation Theory = combination of
“role” and “state” theories.
Ernest Hilgard: hypnosis is really a
social agreement that allows
dissociation (split in
consciousness). One part of you is
aware of reality, one part obeys
hypnotist.
Hilgard’s “Hidden Observer” Research
Supports Dissociation Theory

Hidden Observer: describes
hypnotized subject’s awareness
of experiences, such as pain,
even though they don’t mention it
during hypnosis.
 The “hidden observer” feels the
pain - this part of you has normal
consciousness.
 Ex:
Part of person feels the
pain during ice water
experiments.
Dissociation and Pain Studies
 Pain
relief studies: theorists say pain
stimulus is dissociated (split) from the
emotional suffering of pain.
 But
is there some part of the person that is
feeling the pain?
 “Yes” according to “Hidden Observer”
Hypnosis
Medical Hypnosis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ftxpM3
kDU

Perspectives On Dissociation
Hypnosis Concepts: Can Hypnosis Have
an Effect After The Session?

Posthypnotic Suggestion: a suggestion made
during a hypnosis session that will be carried out after
hypnosis session is over. “You will no longer feel the
need to smoke after this session is over.”

Has helped alleviate real conditions. “Non-deceptive placebo
effect.”
Facts About Hypnosis

Unhypnotized people can and will do the
same things as hypnotized people. Ex: throw
acid in face.

Those who are imaginative and fantasy prone
are best hypnosis patients.

No one can be hypnotized if they do not want
to be.
Altered Consciousness and Drugs

Psychoactive Drug: Any chemical substance that
alters perceptions and mood. Impairs brain
mechanisms that help us make good decisions.
 Three Basic Categories:
 Depressants: “Downers” calm neural activity and
slow body functions. Includes opiates and
barbiturates.
 Stimulants:
“Uppers” excite neural activity
 Hallucinogens:
distort perceptions and evoke
sensory images in the absence of sensory input.
Why Do Drugs Get People “High?”
 All drugs (from alcohol go
cocaine) work at the neurological
level and affect the brain’s
synapses.
They…
 … stimulate the release of
certain neurotransmitters.
 … mimic the activity of
neurotransmitters (agonists)
 … inhibit (prevent) the release
of neurotransmitters
(antagonists)

Mouse Party
Drugs and Impact on Your Body

The most addictive drugs like
heroin, cocaine, and
amphetamines stimulate the
reward centers in your brain
making you feel a sense of
euphoria.
Drugs and Social Expectations
 Drug
experiences vary depending on
the culture you are in.
 Often people act how they think they
should act when on a certain drug.
 Ex: Alcohol belief studies.
Depressants

Alcohol: suppresses parts of
the brain that control judgment,
inhibitions, and can seriously
alter physical functioning in
high doses (balance, memory,
consciousness, death).
 If you have an urge while
sober, you’re more likely to
follow through on it while drunk.
 Alcohol will increase any
tendency you have whether it is
harmful or helpful.
 It always acts a depressant,
even if you only have one drink.
Depressants

Barbiturates: depress
central nervous system
and reduces anxiety but
impairs memory and
judgment.

Ex: sleep aids, “special
k,” benzodiapezines
(xanax and valium),
tranquilizers, etc.
Depressants
Opiates: opium and its derivatives
from poppy plant, depress neural
activity, temporarily lessening pain
and anxiety.
 Ex: morphine, heroin, opium.


Opiates usually mimic endorphins;
cause massive craving,
withdrawal, and addiction - body
stops producing its natural opiates
(endorphins).
Heroin Derived from Morphine in
1800s by Bayer Company
Stimulants
 Wide
variety of substances fall under the
category of stimulants including:
 Caffeine
 Nicotine
 Amphetamines (“speed”) and
methamphetamines (“crystal meth”)
 Cocaine
 MDMA (Ecstasy)
Stimulants
Speed up heart rate and
breathing rates, often use to
keep awake, lose weight, or
to boost mood.
 All stimulants can become
highly addictive and often
come with a “crash” when
high is over with.

Stimulants

Cocaine: powerful stimulant - 15 to 30
minute “rush.” Crack produces quicker and
more intense high but lasts shorter period
of time.
 Drug depletes (decreases) the brain’s
supply of dopamine, serotonin, and
norepinephrine often causing depression.
Also increases paranoia and increases risk
of heart problems.
 May increase aggressive behaviors and
causes extreme addiction.
Stimulants
Methamphetamine:
(crystal meth, ice,
speed). Causes large
increases in alertness
and may cause
increase in energy and
produce a euphoria.
 Often leads to extreme
addiction, insomnia,
nervousness, or even
seizures.

Hallucinogens (Psychedelics)

Drugs create hallucinations, altered
perceptions, and blur line between self
and external world.

Most well known hallucinogen is LSD:
(lysergic acid diethylamine): probably
most powerful hallucinogen.

Other examples: marijuana, peyote,
angel dust, mescaline, and “magic
mushrooms.”
Hallucinogens

Marijuana: consists of flowers
and leaves from the hemp plant
and when smoked or ingested
acts as a mild hallucinogen.

Relaxes, disinhibits, and impairs
motor functions of individuals
while at the same time amplifying
sensitivity to colors, sounds,
tastes, and smells.

Main active ingredient=THC
Hallucinogens
Marijuana has been promoted for medical
use.
 Advocates say that marijuana serves as relief
for people suffering from intense pain,
nausea, or that have trouble eating.
 Medical community is split - most recognize
the toxicity of the smoke is a drawback to
using the drug medically.
 Marijuana also disrupts memory formation
and may cause sexual dysfunctions.

General Concepts and Drugs

Physical vs. Psychological
Dependence
 Tolerance: diminishing effect
of drug with the same dose,
requires user to take more to
get same high.
 Withdrawal: discomfort and
distress associated with
quitting the use of an
addictive drug.
Influences on Drug Use

Perception of the risk involved with a
drug helps predict levels of use.
Influences on Drug Use
 Also
evidence that there may be
biological influences in drug use.
Couple examples:
 Identical twin with alcoholism other
twin has increased risk.
 Molecular geneticists have found
gene that is more common in
people with alcoholism.
Influences on Drug Use
 Peer
factor is perhaps most powerful.
 Family strength, religiousness, morality
are near as big as predictors as whether
or not peers use drugs. If your friends do
drugs, odds are high that you may do
them too.
 Why many addicts have to change their
social networks in order to remain drug
free.