If you’ve been trying to remember a specific memory but are having trouble recalling the details, hypnosis may be able to help you. First, let’s take a look at some key points around memory. 

The Memory Process

There are many factors that play a role in memory formation. These can be related to our senses (visual, olfactory etc), the necessity for recall (remembering the combination to your bike lock), your emotional state during which the memory happened (a relaxed state such as a being on vacation is much easier to remember than when you are under extreme stress) and actively choosing to not remember a situation (usually traumatic situations). So if you had several factors working against you during the memory encoding process, a physiological process when your brain is actively transforming information to be stored away into your memory bank, it is possible that this memory will be incomplete or inaccurate to a degree when trying to recall it yourself. This is because you’ve diligently put in blockers to keep yourself safe from having to remember. 

It is worth noting that many other factors also play a role in the memory process. These include nutrition, sleeping habits, smoking and illness and disease. The majority of the human population is healthy enough that these factors do not affect the memory process in grandiose numbers. 

Long Term Memory and Storage

Anything that your brain deems important will eventually be stored into your Long Term Memory (LTM). By the way, it is unclear where exactly in the brain LTM is stored, or if it’s stored in numerous places, however the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex all appear to play major roles in memory function. What we do know however is that LTM has an indefinite duration of storage and that this storage space is unlimited. 

Ways to recall

One of the best ways to recall a forgotten memory is to put yourself back in the situation of when the memory happened. Have you ever gone into the kitchen to get a pair of scissors, only when you got there you completely forgot why you were there? Then you go back into the original room where you had your thought and it comes back instantly that you need a pair of scissors? The recall LTM is similar. You want to place yourself in the same situation as when the memory was encoded so that you can better recall. 

Oxygen levels also play a big role in memory recall, while also reducing stress and anxiety, and improving overall wellbeing. You don’t need to go out and buy an oxygen tank for memory recall, simple deep breathing exercises work great! 

The deeper your internal focus and concentration are, the better you will be able to recall the memory as well. Reduce or eliminate as many external distractions as possible. 

How hypnosis can help?

So, how can hypnosis help? Using methods such as age regression or timeline travel, the hypnotherapist can put you back in the situation of when the situation was happening, and you can watch it as though watching a movie. Although truth be told, not everyone recalls visually. Some people have a deep internal knowledge of what happened next and they lean into that feeling. In short, they let their senses guide them. 

Hypnotherapists also put their clients into a state of relaxation with deep breathing exercises, providing lots of oxygen to the brain and calming the body and mind. The client should remain in a light trance as they will be playing an active role in their memory recall by responding to questions and leading the way. 

Studies have shown that when in hypnotic trance, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex becomes less active. This is the region of the brain that keeps people aware of their surroundings, among many other functions. As such, hypnotic trance allows people to turn their focus inwards and concentrate on the task at hand. 

Takeaways

In short, hypnosis can help with remembering details or moments  as it induces a state that naturally heightens functions that are required for memory recall. Above that, a good hypnotherapist will provide a safe and comfortable environment for their client, adding an extra measure of security for this sometimes emotionally painful process. 

Many people have worries or concerns that if they remember, it may affect their present life negatively. This can be the case when trying to remember a traumatic event for inner healing, or trying to remember an event that may be out of this world. If you are spiritual in nature, one thing that may help your mind and that I truly believe to be true is that your subconscious will not let you remember something that you are not ready to remember. Your brain wants to protect you and it will do everything in its power to do so, even if in the long run this may be causing you harm.