Hypnosis Can Unleash Hidden Human Potential

by Tim Brunson, PhD

There is a tremendous amount of scientific research within the published literature indicating that remarkable hidden potentials exist within the neuro-physiology of a typical human being. Noteworthy conclusions are easily derived by reviewing projects regarding mental pathologies – such as autism, the savant syndrome (i.e. idiot savant), and stroke recovery – the constant record-breaking athletic performance in competitions like the Olympics, and stories regarding ordinary people performing extraordinary feats under life-threatening stress. It is very obvious to even the most casual observer that there is much more to the human experience than we would like to admit. These potentials lie dormant within each and every human. Yet despite the propensity to resist change, social conditioning, and a tendency toward mediocrity, there is a yearning for greatness (or at least for a unique quality). Meanwhile, individuals and entire social systems insist on suppressing – and even frequently crucifying – those whom they feel deviate from the bland and normal. Nevertheless, in addition to the numerous clues found in mainstream research literature, there is a wealth of evidence of a desire for extra-ordinary human potential and desire for change in the pop culture as well.

There is a superhero obsession in Eastern and Western cultures. Just look at the Hollywood box office hits for the past several years. Titles like Spiderman, Batman Returns, Daredevil, X-Men, and even the Harry Potter series are just a handful of an army of such movies. Add to this a steady fare of similar fictional stories that find their way into homes via cable television providers. Even hit series like Heroes and The 4400 continue satisfying the craving for stories about almost magical human potential. As well as importing these movies and shows to their theaters, our Eastern cousins have always had their martial arts heroes, which they have often exported back to us in the forms of Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan.

The remarkable feature of all of these stories is always the transformation of an ordinary person (often who is flawed, mild mannered, and bordering on poor self-esteem) into a person with unusual abilities (Rosenberg, 2008). While it may take a radioactive spider bite, an unfortunate sudden blindness (of course, again caused by radioactivity), and/or seeing a parent or parents murdered in front of their eyes, the fact is that they always symbolize the inherent unlimited human potential.

Is such superhuman potential only fiction? Some researchers do not think so. As mentioned already in a previous article, Darrel Treffert, MD, a Wisconsin psychiatrist, studied savants since his first day on the job back in 1955 (1989). He quickly noticed that about one out of ten autistic people had some increased mental ability in conjunction with their otherwise poor IQ. More recently he began using the terms "accidental savant" or "accidental genius" to describe someone afflicted with savantism due to an accident or an illness. Dr. Treffert's most recent speeches and writings explore the possibility that phenomenal savant traits may be stimulated in otherwise normal people. Could it really be possible for an ordinary person to achieve savant-like abilities in the areas of mathematics, music, or memory? If not, can these skills be vastly improved?

Dr. Treffert is not alone in seeing the average person's potential. Alvaro Pascual Leone, MD, of the Harvard Medical School and Allan Snyder, PhD, of the University of Sydney (Australia) are just two of the many researchers who are systematically looking into neural reorganization – which is a standard attribute discovered in the newly handicapped and recovering stroke survivors – and brain sector inhibition as a way of functional enhancement (Walsh & Pascual-Leone, 2003).

Although the savant syndrome is not fully understood by either psychologists or neurologists, Treffert found that all savants have a commonality in that parts of their brains are either not functioning or not communicating properly. Like the studies concerning inhibition through Transcranial Magnetic (TCM) stimulation or through volitional brain sector reorganization, the lack of competition among brain sectors often allows selected substrates to increase performance. The key question here is whether inhibition and/or reorganization stimulate such enhancements, or if they merely free up pre-existing dormant potential.

So where does hypnosis come in? If you understand the mind altering similarities between hypnosis and meditation, you may see the obvious answer. In Why God Won't Go Away Andrew Newberg, MD, and Eugene D'Aquili, PhD, (2001) point out that an experienced meditator has the capability to inhibit brain function. Specifically, by inhibiting left front lobe function and reducing the hyperactivity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the brain is freed of what Treffert (1989) calls the "tyranny of the left brain." This then allows more energy to flow to less used areas like the right temporal lobe, which is a very important sector related to religious experiences. According to Walsh and Pascual-Leone (2003), TCM inhibition of the left temporal lobe also produces enhanced memories and artistic abilities. Other research shows that extensive meditation will produce thicker neo-cortices and result in increased Gamma wave activity (Doidge, 2007). Recently, Gamma waves have been linked to the ability of certain energy healers such as Joyce Hawkes, PhD, (2007) a once skeptical research biologist who transformed into a healer – after a serious concussion almost resulted in her death.

Hypnosis has the ability of enhancing brain functioning, as trance induction by default inhibits left frontal lobe activity. This is why time and space distortion is experienced during trance work. The increased perceptual clarity during guided imagery should therefore be no surprise. However, logically this can go much further. As Tibetan Buddhists sometimes talk about the deep meditation occurrences of extra-sensory experiences (i.e. siddhis) and frequently tell of the miraculous feats of their masters, it should be no surprise to hypnotists when ordinary people experience extraordinary abilities while in trance.

There is a distinct possibility that professional hypnotherapists and the lay practitioners in the licensed professions will come to understand why hypnosis has the potential to unleash phenomenal mental abilities, to include a vastly improved relationship between the mind and physical healing. However, while recent neurological and epigenetic research are uncovering very interesting realizations about the brain and body, there must be an increasing involvement of the mental therapeutic professions if all the dots are to be connected. Will we uncover fantastic potentials in the mind and body? Will we redefine what it is to be human? Will we again link science and spirituality? If we uncover the superhero deep within each client or patient, will the discovery be used to improve the world? As Peter Parker's (a.k.a. Spiderman) uncle said, "With great power, comes great responsibility." What will a world of superheroes be like? Of course, if everyone had these powers, we would redefine mediocrity at new (albeit higher) levels.

The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.

References:

Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph form the Frontiers of Brain Science. London: Penguin Books Ltd.

Hawkes, J. (2007). Cell-Level Healing in Practice. Workshop at the 2007 National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine conference. Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Newberg, A. & D'Aquili, E. (2001). Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science & The Biology of Belief. New York: Balantine.

Rosenberg, R. S. (2008). The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration. Dallas, Texas: Benbella Books.

Treffert, D. (1989). Extraordinary People: Understanding "Idiot Savants" . New York: Harper & Row. Walsh, V. & Pascual-Leone, A. (2003). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Neurochronemetrics of Mind. Boston: MIT Press.