Hypnosis for Learning and Recall

Hypnosis for Learning and Recall

All levels of the mind are involved in memory retention and recall. Firstly, the conscious mind is responsible for looking at information, thinking about it and reflecting upon it before the learned information could be processed and retained in the long term memory. Once it is stored, it becomes part of the subconscious memory and is available for action by the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is also involved in the learning and storing of information as well as the retrieving and recalling of information. When a person is in a hypnotic state, their subconscious and unconscious minds become more active and can promote hypermnesia by suggestion. Hypermnesia is a state of having increased memory and recall. In a hypnotic state, a person is able to get in touch with the internal processes that could provide solutions to many of their challenges. The unconscious mind could be considered as part of the deeper levels of the mind which have access to cellular and molecular memory, hence facilitating learning and recall.

When we memorize information like phone numbers or formulas, they are available for unconscious recall. The mind-body connection has been discussed for a very long time and will continue to be discussed in the future, but practically it is clear to many researchers and quantum biologist Deepak Chopra (Chopra, 1989) that neuro transmitters have contact with every cell in the body and not just with the brain as previously thought. The advent of neuroscience has made it possible to measure the presence of neurotransmitters in different parts of the brain and studies have shown how the mind affects the cells of the human body. The mind-body connection is therefore accepted by many researchers and practitioners but the effect of hypnosis on the internal processes and the unconscious mind is something that still needs to be understood by the majority.

Hypnosis is not the new kid on the block. As far back as 1860, hypnotic techniques were used by Pierre Janet and Alfred Binet (Brown, 1991) to show how dramatic changes in physiological functioning could be produced. In the late 1800s, researchers were using hypnosis to remove physiological symptoms. It was only after Sigmund Freud rejected hypnosis as a science that it fell into disrepute for about a hundred years. This is changing now with more interest in this field and with more research showing the efficacy of hypnosis. Amongst other things, hypnosis has been successfully used for learning, remembering and recalling information.

References:

Brown, P. (1991). The Hypnotic Brain, Yale University Press.

Chopra, D. (1989). Quantum Healing, Bantam Books.