Abstract
Hypnosis is a technique that induces changes in perceptual experience through response to specific suggestions. By means of functional neuroimaging, a large body of clinical and experimental studies has shown that hypnotic processes modify internal (self-awareness) as well as external (environmental awareness) brain networks. Objective quantifications of this kind permit the characterization of cerebral changes after hypnotic induction and its uses in the clinical setting. Hypnosedation is one such application, as it combines hypnosis with local anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery. The power of this technique lies in the avoidance of general anesthesia and its potential complications that emerge during and after surgery. Hypnosedation is associated with improved intraoperative comfort and reduced perioperative anxiety and pain. It ensures a faster recovery of the patient and diminishes the intraoperative requirements for sedative or analgesic drugs. Mechanisms underlying the modulation of pain perception under hypnotic conditions involve cortical and subcortical areas, mainly the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices as well as the basal ganglia and thalami. In that respect, hypnosis-induced analgesia is an effective and highly cost-effective alternative to sedation during surgery and symptom management.
Highlights
The use of hypnosis by the medical community has increased exponentially in the past years
In our previous Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-behavioral study, under hypnosis, we found reduced functional connectivity in the extrinsic system, almost at zero level (Demertzi et al, 2011)
Using fMRI to study the recruitment of attentional networks during a cognitive task in high and low hypnotizable participants, it has been observed that in highly hypnotizable subjects the right inferior frontal gyrus was more connected to the default mode network (DMN), suggesting that interactions between internally and externally driven processes may allow higher flexibility in attention and support the ability to dissociate (Cojan et al, 2015)
Summary
The use of hypnosis by the medical community has increased exponentially in the past years. Using fMRI to study the recruitment of attentional networks during a cognitive task in high and low hypnotizable participants, it has been observed that in highly hypnotizable subjects the right inferior frontal gyrus was more connected to the DMN, suggesting that interactions between internally and externally driven processes may allow higher flexibility in attention and support the ability to dissociate (Cojan et al, 2015).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
