Hypnotizability, which refers to how easily someone can be hypnotized, is a stable trait that doesn't change much throughout adulthood.
However, scientists have discovered a way to temporarily increase hypnotizability using electrical stimulation of a specific area in the brain.
Let's find out more about it.
A surprising discovery
In a study with people who have chronic pain, researchers found that a short electrical stimulation increased how easily they could be hypnotized for about an hour.
Hypnosis is when you concentrate really well, and being more easily hypnotized makes hypnosis work better.
The researchers used brain scans to understand why some people are more hypnotizable. They used a special kind of stimulation on a specific part of the brain.
The people who got the brain stimulation became more easily hypnotized compared to the people who didn't get it.
The effect lasted for about an hour before going away. The researchers want to do more studies to see if different amounts of brain stimulation can make people even more hypnotizable.
Why it might be important
This research may have implications beyond hypnosis and could potentially enhance people's response to other forms of psychotherapy.
Previously, we talked about the fear of changes.
