Feature Health & Medicine

The Mesmerized Mind

Scientists are unveiling how the brain works when hypnotized

By Susan Gaidos

- More than 2 years ago

Mention hypnosis, and the image that springs to mind is a caped magician swinging a pocket watch, seducing otherwise sensible people into barking like dogs.

THE MESMERIZED MIND Illustration by Lou Beach

YOUR BRAIN ON HYPNOSIS | Studies show hypnosis reroutes brain signals. Hypnotized people who are told that their left hand is paralyzed show brain patterns (yellow) that differ from those who aren’t hypnotized (red) and from those who aren’t hypnotized but are told to pretend their left hand is paralyzed (green).