At the most basic level, the human brain operates from two states of consciousness. The first is the conscious mind, which is our normal state of mind when we are wide awake. The conscious mind is the logical and critical mind that is used to deal with the real world, including activities such as decisions, thinking, problem solving, walking, running, etc. The conscious mind is the one that chooses to believe or not believe in something.
The second of the two states of consciousness is the subconscious mind that controls most of our reactions, emotions, beliefs, habits, and ways of thinking. The subconscious mind is governed by emotion and tends to believe everything it sees, hears, or experiences. That is why it is important what you say (or think) to yourself. If you think, this will never work, your subconscious mind will take it as truth and make you act in a way that makes that prediction come true.
The brain also operates in four different frequency ranges called brain waves. The frequency ranges are much the same as tuning your radio to the FM band or the AM band. Using this analogy, you could think of the FM band as one set of brain waves and the AM band as another set of brain waves. And the television band could be a third group of brain waves.
Each frequency range is associated with a different level and type of activity for the human brain. The most active (and highest) operating frequency range is called beta brain waves. Beta brain waves actually operate in the range of 15 to 40 Hertz (ie cycles per second). The brain operates in the beta range when it is fully awake and engaged in active thought such as problem solving, teaching, singing, etc. Beta brain waves are generally characterized as alert and functioning.
The next lower level of brain waves is the alpha state which covers a frequency range of 9 to 14 Hertz (cycles per second). Brain wave activity normally slows down to this range when the person is awake but relaxed or pondering or thinking calmly. The alpha state is characterized by being relaxed and reflective.
When someone is being hypnotized or self hypnotizing, the alpha state is the relaxation phase that the hypnotist tries to establish by asking the subject to close their eyes, take a deep breath, and relax. In this state, the subject is preparing for hypnosis but is not actually under hypnosis yet.
The third level of brain waves is the theta state which covers a frequency range of 5 to 8 Hertz. The human brain operates on these frequencies when the subject is very relaxed, sleepy, or daydreaming. Theta state is often accompanied by the great creativity and free flow of new ideas that is characteristic of the subconscious mind.
If you’ve been driving and suddenly realize you can’t remember what you saw for the last 5 minutes, chances are you were in theta state. When you reach the theta state during self-hypnosis, you are in a hypnotic trance.
The lowest frequency brain wave state is the delta state which covers a frequency range of 1.5 to 4 Hertz. Dreamlike sleep (characterized by Rapid Eye Movement – REM) generally occurs in the 3 to 4 Hertz range, while the 2 to 3 Hertz range is the range of dreamless sleep. Normally, when the brain reaches this frequency range, it is asleep. During self-hypnosis, the brain is completely hypnotized when it reaches this frequency range.
As the brain moves into the theta and delta brainwave ranges, the subconscious mind becomes the primary state of consciousness and the hypnotist (or recorded self-hypnosis scripts) can communicate directly with the subconscious mind without going through nature. critique of the conscious mind. Assuming the hypnotist’s or self-hypnosis scripts follow the rules for successful self-hypnosis, the subconscious mind will accept what it is told as truth and change the subconscious behavior, beliefs, and actions of the subject so that the hypnotic suggestions come true. .
One of the 7 key success factors of self-hypnosis scripts is the use of binaural beat technology. The basic concept is to introduce one audible frequency into one ear and a second audible frequency into the other. The brain detects the difference between the two frequencies, which is a third frequency called the beat frequency.
By implanting a heartbeat frequency that matches one of the alpha, theta, or delta brainwave frequencies (which are below the range of human hearing), the hypnotist can more easily induce hypnosis and communicate directly with the subconscious mind.