Neuronal Habituation and the Hypnotist: When We Don’t See What We See

It should be no surprise that our brain responds to novelty and surprise. This is because the neural centers that define our consciousness receive sufficient stimuli to be activated. However, what happens when our mind is lulled into complacency by routine sensory input? The answer is simple. It is ignored because this activation does not occur. Then there is no impact. Or, so we think.

When our consciousness fails to register an occurrence, it is most likely due to the failure to excite the appropriate substrates related to our sentient awareness. A phenomenon called neuronal habituation occurs. While one may assume that such input is discarded, the fact is that the parts of our mental physiology related to our autonomic functioning, which is centered in our limbic system, do respond. Consider, for instance, the comment in Eugen Herrigel's classic, Zen in the Art of Archery, when he states that mastery is when "it shoots." There is a below-the-conscious level where even otherwise ignored input contributes to learning at the mental and physiological levels.

What does this mean to hypnosis? Clients come to us because of a perceived discomfort. One or more of their programs conflict with mental/personality parts such as values, goals, etc. However, they may not be able to see how routine behaviors and perceptions impact their concerns. Basically, this is because they have been entrained into a comfortable habituation. We see this not only in bad habits, such as smoking, compulsive, stress-related eating, and others, but also when their thoughts have become manifest in their physiology.

When they come to our offices, we quickly notice that their subjective position prevents them from seeing what an objective analysis may quickly ascertain. As therapists (or counselors) we become an objective observer. Then by using pattern interrupts, NLP techniques, and guided imagery, we can effectively assist them get past their defensive barriers to change dysfunctional programs. In a trance state we provide them with new stimuli that activate the appropriate substrates and thereby hopefully install "replacement" gestalts needed to crowd out and replace the old ways of thinking.

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.