Altered states of consciousness and hypnosis in the twenty-first century

A survey of contemporary perspectives on altered states of consciousness introduces commentaries on Kallio and Revonsuo's lead article. The study of consciousness, unconscious processing, and altered states is central to neuroscience, offering fresh approaches to understanding hypnosis, including combining new neurophysiological methods with phenomenological reports. Research on alterations in anterior brain processes, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is productive. The lack of engagement with neuroscientific evidence from theorists with purely social and cognitive orientations to hypnosis is noted, with examples from attention and relaxation research. Unifying the field requires active collaboration between scientists with neurophysiological and social orientations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The contemporary perspective on altered states of conscious is surveyed as an introduction to commentaries on Kallio and Revonsuo's lead article in Contemporary Hypnosis(2003). It is noted that the study of consciousness, unconscious processing, and altered states of consciousness are central issues in neuroscience, heralding fresh approaches to the neuroscientific understanding of hypnosis. These include attempts to bring together new neurophysiological methods with phenomenological report. The alteration in hypnosis of anterior brain processes including the anterior cingulated cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are particularly productive areas of research. The lack of engagement with neuroscientific evidence from theorists with a purely social and cognitive orientation to hypnosis is noted, with examples provided from research on attention and relaxation. Unifying the field awaits active collaboration between scientists with neurophysiological and social orientations. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis