Researchers from the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Virginia report on the first MRI study to report differences in brain structure size between low and highly hypnotizable, healthy, right-handed young adults.

Participants were stringently screened for hypnotic susceptibility with two standardized scales, and then exposed to hypnotic analgesia training to control cold pressor pain. Only the highly hypnotizable subjects (HHs) who eliminated pain perception were included in the present study. These HHs, who demonstrated more effective attentional and inhibitory capabilities, had a significantly (P < 0.003) larger (31.8%) rostrum, a corpus callosum area involved in the allocation of attention and transfer of information between prefrontal cortices, than low hypnotizable subjects (LHs).

These results provide support to the neuropsychophysiological model that HHs have more effective frontal attentional systems implementing control, monitoring performance and inhibiting unwanted stimuli from conscious awareness, than LHs.

Citation: Horton JE, Crawford HJ, Harrington G, Downs JH 3rd. Increased anterior corpus callosum size associated positively with hypnotizability and the ability to control pain. Brain. 2004 Aug; 127 (Pt 8): pages 1741-7. Epub 2004 Jul 01. jhorton@uvawise.edu

Posted: 10/31/2006



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Excessive Sweating Management Excessive Sweating Management with Hypnosis.There are two parts of the brain that control sweating,body temperature&emotional sweating response.This session will reprogram both these functions so that your body regulates itself in a more normal.

Commitment Hypnosis Can Help Your Mind Work Together to Achieve Commitment! You’ll start to become a person of focus,drive,& passion who can develop rich relationships, achieve goals,& experience more happiness!! So commit to using this session!!

Blood Pressure Management You CAN Lower Your Blood Pressure with Hypnosis.Listening to this session will start to lower your blood pressure to a normal level because it works with your inner mind to regulate and alleviate stress stored in your body.