At the Frontier of Hypnosis and Neuroscience
On December 5 2024, The Sense hosted a symposium at the CHUV (Lausanne University Hospital). This event, attended by around fifteen participants, featured Dr. Graham Jamieson, a globally recognized figure in neuroscience and a leading expert in hypnosis. The symposium, titled “Interoceptive Predictive Coding & Hypnotic Suggestion Response” delved into innovative perspectives on altered states of consciousness.
The Remarkable Career of Graham Jamieson
Dr. Graham Jamieson earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Queensland in 2002. Currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of New England in Australia, he leads the Cognitive, Affective, and Social Neuroscience Laboratory. Specializing in transitions between states of consciousness, he employs cutting-edge tools such as high-density EEG, virtual reality, and advanced brain signal analysis to unravel the neural mechanisms underpinning hypnosis. His current research focuses on key areas like hypnotic amnesia, hallucinations, and trauma-related dissociative states.
Interoceptive Predictive Coding at the Core of Research
Dr. Jamieson highlighted the pivotal role of interoceptive predictive coding in hypnotic responses. This concept is based on the brain’s ability to anticipate bodily states (interoceptive sensations) and adjust its actions according to internal predictions. Under hypnosis, active inference processes temporarily allow individuals to accept counterfactual scenarios, such as perceiving an imagined experience as real.
The Insula: A Key Region in Hypnosis
Dr. Jamieson placed particular emphasis on the insula, a central region involved in bodily awareness and emotional states. He explained how hypnosis modulates these neural circuits to influence consciousness and subjective experience. This mechanism aligns hypnosis with meditation, underscoring similarities in the processes of interoceptive prediction and adjustment.
An Innovative Link Between Hypnosis and Artificial Intelligence
One of the standout aspects of the lecture was the integration of hypnotic theories with concepts from artificial intelligence (AI). Motor and perceptual predictions triggered by hypnotic suggestions were compared to hierarchical models in AI. This analogy opens exciting new avenues for understanding the cognitive mechanisms of hypnosis and developing novel clinical and therapeutic approaches.
A Lecture Rich in Exchanges and Discoveries
This event provided a unique opportunity for participants to engage with Dr. Jamieson and explore the intricate mechanisms of altered states of consciousness. His rigorous and innovative research continues to enrich neuroscience while offering potential solutions in crucial areas such as mental health and post-traumatic states.
