What happens to your brain while you're in a trance?

Question

Like when you're being hypnotized...you're not totally asleep or totally awake. Is it the same as sleepwalking...or talking in your sleep? I don't think so..but what's happening during this time? They say you don't remember what you say.Is this another stage of sleep?

Answer 1

I have included a link below about how brain waves are measured using an EEG. The link includes a comparison chart for brain waves (frequencies).

Of course the brain in all states continues to receive information and performs numerous functions like keeping your balance and regulating the activities of your organs all without your conscious awareness.

To some extent this question depends on what you mean by trance. For example when you are driving a routine route and don't remember passing something but you are home that is a type of trance. This also happens on long trips (road trance). I would think that frequency would be different than fully alert.

Some studies have been done on the brains of meditating monks (link below) and the research indicates that one of the areas that becomes least active is the part of the brain that is responsible for feeling separate from the rest of the world. Monks have described this as being "one with the universe" for thousands of years.

Likewise, in hypnosis (some forms induce a trance) the brain waves would be different from being fully alert and active. This state places people in a more suggestive mode (as does being very sleepy in some people).

In many hypnosis sessions people can recall what they say and many can recall the session (unless a suggestion is made for them not to). I have included a link below to information about hypnosis.

In sleep the brain waves are different and sleepwalking is actually a failure of the normal process of sleep paralysis that is supposed to prevent you from sleep walking in order to protect you from injuring yourself by acting out dreams and such. Of course sometimes people become aware of this process upon just falling asleep or waking up and experience symptoms of what we commonly call sleep paralysis. (link below)

Sleep talking is a far less studied and less understood phenomena. (last 2 links below).

Psi

Answer 2

You answer your own questions. It would be impossible for someone to tell what goes on in their brain while under hypnosis. One doesn't know to compare what's happening in the brain, while sleepwalking, to being hypnotized.  I don't think most of us know what is going on in our brain, while we are doing conscious things, let alone the unconscious things. May be doctors that are doing sleep studies, when you're all hooked up to brain wave machines that diagnose brain activity, can tell you more. Go with what, "they," have already informed you on what goes on while being hypnotized. You are in the Parapsychology section, in case you forgot. Not that your question doesn't pertain to it. Have a good day.