Your brain responds to situations (whether real or imagined) by emitting electrical impulses in waves of varying intensity, as shown in the diagram opposite.
The purpose of these waves is to help you to respond appropriately to those situations.
Beta waves keep you alert and ready for action;
Alpha waves help you to calm down and are associated with enhanced learning and creativity;
Theta waves create a deeper level of relaxation associated with problem solving and intuition;
Delta waves encourage deep, restorative sleep
In hypnosis, you produce more Alpha and Theta waves, which directly connect with the subconscious part of your mind, enhancing your ability to solve problems and change habits. With practice, you could even learn how to reach Delta in hypnosis, which would enable you to create anaesthesia in your body - but generally that depth of hypnosis would only be required for serious pain management (with medical approval).
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