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Hypnosis Profile



HYPNOSIS PROFILE

STOP PRESS


FMRI evidence of cortical efficiency in hypnotisable subjects which is compromised by
hypnosis in left lateral and anterior cingulate frontal regions.
Egner, T., Jamieson, G., Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) Hypnosis decouples cognitive control from conflict
monitoring processes of the frontal lobe. Neuroimage, in press.


For an integrative over view of work including schizophrenia, EEG-biofeedback and
hypnosis see:

Vaitl,D., Birbaumer, N., Gruzelier, J., Jamieson, G., Kotchoubey, B., Kübler, A., Lehmann D.,
Miltner, W.H.R., Ott, U., Pütz, P., Sammer, G., Strauch, I., Strehl, U., Wackermann, J., Weiss, T.
(2005) Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness, Psychological Bulletin, 131, 98-127.


Contemporary Hypnosis is now published by John Wiley & Sons.

A# Background: Began research on the psychophysiology of hypnosis in 1979, became member of the
British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis in 1984, has 40 scientific publications on
hypnosis.

B# Scientific Studies & Neurophysiological Model:
With publications beginning in 1984 a series of studies has charted the cognitive neuroscience of
hypnosis and hypnotic susceptibility, with the evolution of a working neurophysiological model.
The model posits a three-stage process for the classical induction of hypnosis involving:

the engagement of thalamo-cortical-limbic attentional circuits under top-down influences of
the frontal lobe through focussed attention and fixation;

2) suggestions of fatigue and tiredness at fixation which suppress frontal-cingulate top-down
influences to facilitate the control and orchestration of behaviour by the hypnotist,

3) and in neutral hypnosis a lateral shift to favour right hemispheric influences. The evidence
has been complimented by a recent fMRI/EEG study.



Model:
Gruzelier JH (1988): The neuropsychology of hypnosis. Heap M (ed). Hypnosis:Current Clinical,
Experimental and Forensic Practices, Croom Helm, London: 68-76.

Gruzelier JH (1990): Neuropsychological investigations of hypnosis: Cerebral laterality and beyond.
In Hypnosis:Theory, Research and Clinical Practice; Van Dyck R, Spinhoven Ph, Van der Does
AJW, (eds) Free University Press: 38-51.

Crawford HJ Gruzelier J (1992): A midstream view of the neuropsychophysiology of hypnosis: Recent
research and future directions. In Fromm W & Nash M (eds) Hypnosis; Research Developments and
Perspectives, 3rd Edition, New York, Guildford Press, 227-266.

Gruzelier JH (1996): The state of hypnosis: Evidence and Applications. Quarterly Journal of
Medicine. 89:313-317.

Gruzelier, J. (1998) A working model of the neurophysiology of hypnosis: A review of the evidence.
Contemporary Hypnosis, 15, 3-21.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2000) Redefining hypnosis: Theory, methods and integration. Contemporary
Hypnosis, 17 (2) 51-70.


Evidence: Laterality:
Gruzelier JH, Brow TD, Perry A, Rhonder J and Thomas M (1984): Hypnotic susceptibility: A
lateral predisposition and altered cerebral asymmetry under hypnosis. International Journal of
Psychophysiology, 2: 131-139.

Gruzelier J, Thomas M, Conway A, Liddiard D, Jutai J, McCormack K, Perry A, Rhonder J & Brow T
(1987): Involvement of the left hemisphere in hypnotic induction: electrodermal, haptic,
electrocortical and divided visual-field evidence. Advances in Biological Psychiatry, Basel, Karger:
6-17.

Cikurel K & Gruzelier J (1990): The effect of an active-alert hypnotic induction on lateral asymmetry
in haptic processing. British Journal of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, 7: 17-25.

McCormack K & Gruzelier JH (1993): Cerebral asymmetry and hypnosis: A signal detection analysis
of divided visual field stimulation. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102: 352-357.

Jutai J, Gruzelier JH, Golds J & Thomas M (1993): Bilateral auditory-evoked potentials in conditions
of hypnosis and focused attention. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 15: 167-176.

Egner, T., Jamieson, G., Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) Hypnosis decouples cognitive control from conflict
monitoring processes of the frontal lobe. Neuroimage, in press.


Fronto-Limbic functions:

Gruzelier JH and Brow TD (1985): Psychophysiological evidence for a state theory of hypnosis and
susceptibility. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 29: 287-302.

Gruzelier JH & Warren K (1993): Neuropsychological evidence of left frontal inhibition with
hypnosis. Psychological Medicine, 23: 93-101.

Kaiser, J, Barker, R., Haenschel, C., Baldeweg, T., Gruzelier, J. (1997) Hypnosis and event-related
potential correlates of error processing in a stroop-type paradigm: a test of the frontal hypothesis.
International Journal of Psychophysiology, 27, 215-222.

Kallio, S., Revonsuo, A., Hamalainen, H., Markela, J., Gruzelier, J. (2001) Changes in anterior
attentional functions and word fluency associated with hypnosis. International Journal of
Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 49, 95-108.

Croft, R.J., Williams, J.D., Haenschel, C., Gruzelier, J.H. (2002) Pain perception, hypnosis and
40Hz oscillations. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 46, 101-108.

Gruzelier, J.H., Gray, M., P.Horn (2002) The involvement of frontally modulated attention in
hypnosis and hypnotic susceptibility: Cortical evoked potential evidence. Contemporary
Hypnosis, 19 (4), 179-189.

Egner, T., Jamieson, G., Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) Hypnosis decouples cognitive control from conflict
monitoring processes of the frontal lobe. Neuroimage, in press.


Non-specific factors; Relaxation:
Gruzelier JH, Allison J & Conway A (1988): A psychophysiological differentiation between hypnosis
and the simulation of hypnosis. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 6: 331-338.

Raab J & Gruzelier J. (1994): A controlled investigation of right hemispheric processing enhancement
after restricted environmental stimulation (REST) with floatation. Psychological Medicine, 24: 457-
462.

Williams J.D., Gruzelier, J.H. (2001) Differentiation of hypnosis and relaxation by analysis of
narrow band theta and alpha frequencies. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental
Hypnosis, 49, 185-286.

Jamieson, G., Dwivedi, P, Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) Post-hypnosis changes in Mismatch negativity
distinguish high from low hypnotic susceptibility. Brain Research Bulletin, in press.



C# Hypnotic Susceptibility.

The empirical studies disclosed that highly hypnotisable subjects have superior cognitive abilities.
These include abilities to focus attention, to comply with instructions to let go of executive top-
down processing, neurocognitive flexibility, and cognitive efficiency. (see references above)


At the same time they share aspects of syndromes of the schizotypal personality such as cognitive
activation and unreality experiences such as extrasensory perception. It is theorised that their
superior cognitive abilities coincide with vulnerabilities for psychopathology.

Jamieson, G. and Gruzelier, J.H. (2001) Hypnotic susceptibility is positively related to a subset of
schizotypy items. Contemporary Hypnosis, 18, 32-37.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2002) New insights into the nature of hypnotisability. In Beyond and Behind the
Brain, 4th Bial Foundation Symposium, Fundacao Bial, 275 – 292.

Gruzelier, J.H.(2005) New and rediscovered insights into the nature of hypnotizability, submitted.

Gruzelier, J., De Pascalis, V., Jamieson, G., Laidlaw, T., Naito, A., Bennett, B., Dwivedi, P.
(2004)Relations between hypnotisability and psychopathology revisited. Contemporary Hypnosis, 21,
169-170.

Laidlaw, T.M., Dwivedi, P., Naito, A., Gruzelier, J.H. (2004) Low self-directedness (TCI), mood,
schizotypy and hypnotic susceptibility. Personality and Individual Differences, in press.


D# fMRI/EEG.

The influence of hypnosis on fMRI and EEG coherence with a Stroop conflict task have been
examined in participants selected for high and low hypnotic susceptibility.

Results showed a compromise of anterior cingulated and left lateralised frontal blood
oxygenation following hypnosis in hypnotisable participants.

EEG assessment showed a reduction in connectivity between the two anterior regions.

There was evidence of higher cortical efficiency outside of hypnosis in hypnotisable subjects.
Egner, T., Jamieson, G., Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) Hypnosis decouples cognitive control from conflict
monitoring processes of the frontal lobe. Neuroimage in press.


E# Self-Hypnosis & Immune Function.

In a series of controlled studies advantages from training in self-hypnosis have been shown for
immune function, and for the first time for health, including a chronic viral illness.

The health benefits attest to the validity of putative benefits indexing the immunological changes.

Different induction scripts have also been compared showing advantages for directed, self-
generated imagery over relaxation imagery.

Hypnotic susceptibility has been shown to be advantageous for immunological response to
psychological treatment.


Review
Gruzelier, J (1999) Hypnosis from a neurobiological perspective: A review of evidence and
applications to improve immune function. Anales de Psicologia 15, 111-132.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2001) Hypnosis and the mind-body connection. In Behind and Beyond the Brain. Bial
Foundation 3rd Symposium, Porto, Fundacao Bial.231-264.

Gruzelier, JH (2002) A review of the impact of hypnosis, relaxation, guided imagery and individual
differences on aspects of immunity and health. Stress. 5, 147-163.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2002) The role of psychological intervention in modulating aspects of immune function
in relation to health and well being. International Review of Neurobiology, 52, 383-417.

Gruzelier, J. (2002) Self-hypnosis and immune function, health, wellbeing and personality. Hypnos, 29,
186-191.


Empirical Studies
Fox, P.A., Henderson, P.C., Barton, S.E., Champion, A.J., Rollin, M.S.H., Catalan, J., McCormack,
S.M.G. and Gruzelier, J. (1999) Immunological markers of frequently recurrent genital herpes simplex
virus and their response to hynotherapy; a pilot study. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 10,
730-734.

Gruzelier, J., Smith, F., Nagy, A., Henderson, D. (2001) Cellular and humoral immunity, mood and
exam stress: The influences of self hypnosis and personality predictors. International Journal of
Psychophysiology, 42, 55-71.

Gruzelier, JH, Levy, J, Williams, JD, Henderson D. (2001) Effect of self hypnosis with specific versus
nonspecific imagery: Immune function, mood, health and exam stress. Contemporary Hypnosis, 18,
97-110.

Gruzelier, J.H., Champion, A., Fox, P., Rollin, M., McCormack, S., Catalan, P., Barton, S., Henderson,
D. (2002) Individual differences in personality, immunology and mood in patients undergoing self-
hypnosis training for the successful treatment of a chronic viral illness, HSV-2.Contemporary
Hypnosis, 19, (4), 149-166.

Laidlaw T.M, Kerstein, R., Bennett, B, Naito, A. Dwivedi, A., Gruzelier, J.H. Hypnotisability and
immunological response to psychological interventions in HIV. Contemporary Hypnosis, 21, 126-135.



E# Energy Medicine.

With a programme grant from the Johrei Association, a Japanese non-touch healing method is
being studied and compared with self-hypnosis/CBT training.

This is providing a different immune and EEG profile of change.

These suggest an activating process and an openness to experience with remarkable effects on
natural killer cell activity.

Clinical studies include exam stress, advanced stage breast cancer and early stage HIV.

Laidlaw, T.M., Naito, A., Dwivedi, P., Enzor, N., Brincat, C.E., Gruzelier, J.H. (2003) Mood changes
after self-hypnosis and Johrei prior to exams. Contemporary Hypnosis, 20, (1), 25-40.

Naito, A., Laidlaw, T.M., Henderson, D.C., Farahani, L., Dwivedi, P., Gruzelier, J.H. (2003) The
impact of self-hypnosis and Johrei on lymphocyte sub-population at exam time: a controlled study.
Brain Research Bulletin, 62, 241-253.

Laidlaw, T., Bennett, B.M., Dwivedi, P., Naito, A., Gruzelier, J. (2005) Quality of life and mood
changes in metatstatic breast cancer after training in self-hypnosis or Johrei: a short report.
Contemporary Hypnosis, 22, 84-93.

Bennett, B.M., Laidlaw, T.M., Dwivedi, P., Naito, A. Gruzelier, J.H. (2005) A qualitative study of the
experience of self-hypnosis or Johrei in metastatic breast cancer using interpretative
phenomenological analysis. Submitted.


Gruzelier, J.H, Laidlaw, P.M., Naito, A., Lynch, C.S., Dwivedi, P.(2005) Electroencephalographic
changes following training in self-hypnosis and Johrei, in preparation.

F# Stage Hypnosis & Unwanted Effects.


Concerns have been published about the ethical uses of hypnosis and the dangers of stage
hypnosis.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2000) Unwanted effects of hypnosis: A review of the evidence and its implications.
Contemporary Hypnosis, 17, (4) 163-193.


Disinhibited and compliant behaviour is in keeping with the neurophysiological model.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2004) Neurophysiologische erorterung der ungunstigen effekte der hypnose unter
besonderer berucksichtigung der buhnen-hypnose.[Stage hypnosis from the perspective of altered
frontal functions]. Hypnose und Kognition (HyKog) 21, (1 + 2), 225-259.

H# Multimodal Therapy.

Current investigations include combining hypnosis with other treatment approaches.

One example involved physical therapy, self–hypnosis training and NLP in a ballet dancer with a
right leg injury and loss of morale.

Gordon, C-M. and Gruzelier, J.H. (2003) Self-hypnosis and osteopathic soft tissue manipulation with a
ballet dancer. Contemporary Hypnosis, 20, 235-240.

H# Scientific Recognition.

Since 1982 presentations have been invited for national and international scientific meetings and
training courses of the British Society for Medical and Dental Hypnosis. In recent years
invitations have included the Waxman memorial lecture for the Royal Society of Medicine,
Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine section in 2001 and 2003; keynote presentations to the
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Indiannapolis, 2002, the American Society of
Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, Chicago, 2003, the European Society of Hypnosis in
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Rome, 2002, the International Society of Hypnosis,
Singapore, 2004; and symposium presentations at the European Society of Hypnosis and
Psychotherapy, Rome, 2002. In 1996 invitation of the Ciba Foundation to organise a one-day
international meeting on 'The nature of the hypnotic state'.

The fMRI study was presented at the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis,
Chicago, 2003 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, 2004; British
Association, 2004.



The invited review for Contemporary Hypnosis was awarded the' best clinical paper of 2001'
prize from the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
Gruzelier, J.H. (2000) Unwanted effects of hypnosis: A review of the evidence and its implications.
Contemporary Hypnosis, 17, (4) 163-193.


Editor of Contemporary Hypnosis from 2001, the international journal of the British Society of
Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis.


Awarded the Ernest R. Hilgard award of the International Hypnosis Society, 2004, for Scientific
Excellence “Whose lifetime of published experimental work substantially advances the
understanding of the process of hypnosis and the ability to predict the outcome of its
applications.”


Appearances as expert witness in the High Court, in support of plaintiffs who developed
chronic psychopathology after stage hypnosis. These included a case of schizophrenia, so
diagnosed within a week of hypnosis, and a case of depression accompanied by all the clinical
symptoms of PTSD where causation was acknowledged and a landmark decision made
against a hypnotist defendant.

Gruzelier, JH and Jamieson, G. A case of chronic depression with symptoms of PTSD following
hypnosis for entertainment, in preparation.


I#. Societies Member of the Council of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, as
editor of the Society journal. Council member of the Section for Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine,
Royal Society of Medicine. Honorary member of the Italian Hypnosis Society.