QUANTUM COGNITION AND HYPNOSIS: A PARADIGM SHIFT.

The mind--body dualistic model is not supported on either epistemological or clinical grounds. A new paradigm based upon chaotic complex systems theory and quantum mechanics is proposed to overcome the dichotomy between mind and body. Further, the mind/body interface represents a chaotic system, based upon the probability principle, as seen in subatomic physics and quantum mechanics, rather than on the deterministic principle of causality. Patterns of chaotic behaviour can be found in neuronal activity and applications of chaotic patterns seem to be pivotal for mind-body research and the process of trance. A controversial quantum consciousness theory has been proposed, since quantum physics applies to subatomic world and not to macrostructures, such as the brain. Quantum cognition is a novel field which applies the mathematical formalism of quantum theory to explore and model cognitive phenomena, overcoming limits and shortcomings of both Cartesian dualism and quantum general theory. A quantum-like paradigm opens new perspectives in conceptualizing heuristically the hypnotic experience, but it also offers a new insight of hypnotic techniques, such as, for instance, indirect Ericksonian techniques, providing a far greater cognitive flexibility than classical techniques in modelling hypnotic processes and responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]