How Can You Use Hypnotherapy in Your Life?

For centuries, people have turned to hypnotherapy to treat numerous physical ailments. The word comes from the name of the Greek god of sleep Hypnos. Ancient doctors were fascinated by the possibilities, but only in the last several decades have we had the technology that could unlock the secrets of hypnosis. Today, doctors are finally learning more about what the process is all about and how it works.

How it Affects your Brain

What is happening when you use online hypnosis? Stanford researchers used brain scans on nearly 60 people to find out. By using MRIs, they were able to identify blood flow patterns under a variety of conditions, including:

• During memory recall
• During two separate hypnosis sessions
• While at rest

The researchers found noticeable changes in the brain during the sessions. The dorsal anterior cingulate, which is part of the brain’s salience network, became less active. In other words, the subjects focused so intensely that they ignored other things.

Researchers also found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and insula increased in connectivity. This indicated a heightened brain-body connection that could improve the brain’s ability to process and control body functions.

Finally, the researchers found that there were reduced connections between the default mode network and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. They theorized that this meant that subjects were less aware of their actions. In other words, during a hypnotherapy session, they become so focused on what they were doing that they devoted little thought to the process.

How it Affects Your Nervous System

The experience is not just in your head. Researchers have found that hypnosis increases parasympathetic activity, which can help regulate the autonomic nervous system. The vagus nerve, which is the longest cranial nerve, is part of this system. The vagus nerve has several important jobs, including:

• Providing somatic and visceral information for various parts of the body
• Helping you taste
• Stimulating some oral muscles
• Stimulating the cardiac muscle
• Stimulating contractions in the digestive system

When you are stressed, the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system spring into action and activate to slow digestion, speed heart rate, and send energy to your muscles. The reaction happens in a flash, often before you consciously recognize the potential threat. When the threat or perceived threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and acts as a braking system to slow your heart rate, restore digestion, and bring your body functions back to a baseline.

Chronic stress can keep your autonomic nervous system aroused and engaged, which can increase the risk of numerous physical and mental health issues, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety. Online hypnosis increases parasympathetic activity and can calm your body’s fight-or-flight response. This can be helpful not just in the immediate aftermath of an acutely stressful episode but also when it comes to managing chronic stress.

How Hypnotherapy Can Affect Your Life

Our hypnosis app is a powerful tool that you can use to manage your health, your emotions, and your life. From anxiety and depression to losing weight and kicking bad habits, UpNow’s online hypnosis can give you control over your most difficult or complex issues. You can even use it to alleviate chronic pain, stay motivated in your job, overcome fears and phobias, end compulsive behaviors, relieve stress, or renew your focus. Our hypnosis app can be completely customized according to your needs and preferences with reframing, visualization, coping skills, and more to give you a comprehensive approach to better meet your needs.

Whether you are struggling with confidence and self-esteem or you need to take control of your health and well-being, UpNow hypnotherapy can help. Visit UpNow.com today to learn more about you can partner with your mind or to download our hypnosis app.