As we move through our day we will use different parts of our brain. Critical thinking, for example, is associated with the prefrontal cortex (just behind the eyes and forehead) while the processing of fear is associated with the amygdala. (From the Greek word amygdale, meaning “almond,” the amygdala consists of two almond-shaped structures located in the temporal (left and right) lobes.)
Studies have shown that there is decreased activity in the amygdala during hypnosis but increased connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (involved in the control of cognitive processes) and the insula. A little-known part of the brain, the National Library of Medicine has said that the insula “marks salient information by referring to subjective feelings states,” initiating “cognitive processes for further processing the salient information”).
The quieting of the amygdala is undoubtedly one reason why we normally experience hypnosis as very relaxing, very pleasant, and even rejuvenating. Of course, this is highly conducive to hypnosis for a range of issues from stress management to reducing and managing performance anxiety, overcoming fears, sleep issues, and quitting habits.
It is highly likely that, in many cases, it is the amygdala’s reduced activity that enables us to shift our focus away from the fears or emotional obstacles that have prevented us from working toward our goals and toward what we are going to achieve and the actions we are going to take for our future success.
Lastly, increasing the connectivity between the insula and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, may enable us to begin quickly prioritizing new information or ideas (which, again, is characteristic of hypnosis and, most especially, the use of “hypnotic suggestions”).
