Student Web Activites

Chapter 7: Altered States of Consciousness

"Mind Over Matters"

Introduction
Doctors and therapists sometimes use altered states of consciousness, such as hypnosis, meditation, and biofeedback, to help their patients manage stress and pain, change behaviors, and overcome phobias. Now psychologists and physicians are taking hypnosis into the operating room! Go to these Web sites to learn about a study to make surgery "faster and smoother."

Web sites
Why Files—Hypnosis
Does hypnosis really alleviate pain after invasive surgeries? Read this article to form your own opinion on the research.

Hypnosis: An altered state of consciousness
Discover the different types and uses for hypnosis and how it affects people's lives by visiting this Mayo Clinic Web site.

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Activity
Imagine you are a physician and have heard of this study. Although you have not used hypnosis or other altered states of consciousness in your work with patients, you think about possibilities. What other new ways can you think of to use hypnosis? You may want to do research on the Internet for additional information. Then write a brief essay outlining other ways in which hypnosis, biofeedback, or other relaxation techniques might be able to help physicians.