The brain is a tangible thing. You know where it is, roughly what it looks like, and what it is made of. It has properties that dictate how it functions, and we know what those properties are. One of them, the one that is most important for hypnosis, is the brainwave.

The level that our brain is operating in dictates how we feel, how we behave, and how we perform. The hypnotic state is attained by taking your brain from Beta, which it is probably in right now, to either the Alpha state or the Theta state, depending on how deeply you need to go for what you'd like to achieve. There has been a lot of research into the four levels of electrical activity that our brains emanate in the form of brainwaves. Here's a brief review of, or introduction to, the brainwaves and what occurs at each of the four states of consciousness.

Beta

Logic and reasoning.

Awake, normal, alert consciousness characterized by sense-experiences: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

When measuring this state of consciousness on an EEG or other biofeedback machine, we find that it registers at 15-40 cycles per second.

At its maximum capacity, Beta comprises only 12% of your total being. Relying on Beta is like relying on your motorcycle to pull your motor home.

The place of logic, analyzing, and reasoning.

Significantly affects brain’s ability to: store information/memory, access creativity, focus, and concentrate and the workings of the physical body.

Alpha

Strongest, most prominent brain rhythm.

The optimal state for your brain when preparing for competition.

When measuring this state of consciousness on a biofeedback machine, we find that its frequency registers at 9-15 cycles per second.

Brain’s biochemistry is completely balanced in Alpha and brain functions at optimal level

Decision-making at its peak.

This level is necessary in order to achieve behavior modification. In Alpha, you are relaxed, calm, and lucid. This is the programming plane, where you can add new programs and delete old ones. You can also control your dreams while here.

This is where you are during that first 20 minutes when you are falling asleep, but not quite asleep.

Theta

This is where you are after that first 20 minutes when you were falling asleep, and before you are sleeping deeply.

Active dreaming takes place here (and its accompanying rapid eye movement (REM)

The level achieved when you are being hypnotized by someone else, such as during hypnotherapy or stage hypnosis (in other words, it is very difficult to attain through self-hypnosis). This is where you can create hallucinations, amnesia, and physical perception changes.

Deep programming takes place.

Remember, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association has approved the use of hypnotherapy.