Hypnotizability as an adaptive trait

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,  Jul 2004  by Hammond, D Corydon

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Santarcangelo, E. L. & Sebastiani, L. (2004). Hypnotizability as an adaptive trait. Contemporary Hypnosis, 21(1), 3-13. This article reviews their studies on hypnotizability and hypnotic modulation of the mind-body connection during relaxation and mental stress, regarded at as the extremes of the wakefulness cognitive-autonomic arousal.

They discuss the concept of relaxation according to the observation that similar self-reports of relaxation and autonomie states may correspond with different EEG patterns in low and highly hypnotizable subjects. They discuss results obtained during mental stress in light of a possible adaptive role of hypnotic responsiveness as a natural protection against cardiovascular hazards, particularly because only high hypnotizables can actively suppress the cardiovascular responses evoked by a moderate mental stress. The findings show that the body can differentially react to relaxation and mental stress and they suggest that hypnotizable individuals have an evolutionary advantage. Address for reprints: Enrica L. Santarcangelo, M.D., Ph.D., Dept. of Physiology & Biochemistry, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy. E-mail: enricals@dfb.unipi.it.

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