Hypnosis as a Mechanism of Emotion Regulation and Self-Integration: Neural, Cognitive, and Experiential Pathways to Fundamental Peace

Hypnosis, traditionally seen as a clinical technique for symptom reduction, may more fundamentally function as a mechanism of emotion regulation and self-integration. This integrative review proposes that hypnotic states reorganize emotional experience and self-referential processing by modulating large-scale brain networks—the default mode network, executive control network, and salience network. The authors introduce a formal model in which hypnotic induction enhances experiential plasticity through coordinated network reconfiguration, enabling adaptive emotion regulation and reduced dissociative fragmentation. Central to this framework is the construct of Fundamental Peace, a dynamic neuro-experiential state involving flexible attentional control, emotional coherence across self-states, reduced self-referential rigidity, and compassionate self-awareness, distinct from equanimity or well-being. The framework is evaluated against alternative theories, and testable predictions are specified.

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Abstract

Hypnosis has traditionally been conceptualized as a clinical technique for symptom reduction, yet emerging neuroscience evidence suggests it functions more fundamentally as a mechanism of emotion regulation and self-integration. This integrative review synthesizes research from cognitive neuroscience, affective science, and clinical hypnosis to examine how hypnotic states modulate large-scale brain networks—particularly the default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), and salience network (SaN)—to reorganize emotional experience and self-referential processing. We propose a formal mechanistic model in which hypnotic induction produces heightened experiential plasticity through coordinated network reconfiguration, enabling adaptive emotion regulation and reduced dissociative fragmentation. Central to this framework is the construct of Fundamental Peace, operationalized as a dynamic neuro-experiential state characterized by: (1) flexible attentional control without effortful suppression, (2) emotional coherence across self-states, (3) reduced self-referential rigidity, and (4) compassionate self-awareness. Unlike equanimity (affective neutrality) or well-being (positive evaluation), Fundamental Peace represents integrated regulatory capacity under changing conditions. We critically evaluate this framework against alternative theories (dissociated control, cold control, predictive processing, social-cognitive models), specify testable predictions, and assess evidence quality across neuroimaging and clinical do-mains. Implications for trauma treatment, clinical implementation, and future research integrating causal inference methods are discussed, alongside ethical and cultural con-siderations.