ABSTRACT

We propose here an evolutionary interpretation of the presence of highly hypnotizable persons (highs) among the general population. Current experimental evidence suggests the presence of stronger functional equivalence between imagery and perception, non-opioid cognitive control of pain, favorable cardiovascular asset, and greater interoceptive sensitivity in highs. We hypothesize that these characteristics were greatly relevant to our ancestors’ survival, and that they may have facilitated the natural selection of individuals who are now named “highs” due to one of their side effects – the proneness to accept suggestions – as part of the reported physiological features. Unfortunately, our theoretical hypothesis cannot be currently experimentally proven. We believe, however, that looking at hypnotizability in a naturalistic, evolutionary perspective may emphasize the importance of its physiological correlates in daily life and in the prediction of the outcome of medical treatments.

摘要

我们在这里提出了对一般人群中存在高度可催眠的人（highs）的进化解释。当前的实验证据表明，图像和感知之间存在更强的功能等效性、非阿片类药物对疼痛的认知控制、有利的心血管资产和更高的高感内感受敏感性。我们假设这些特征与我们祖先的生存密切相关，并且它们可能促进了现在被命名为“highs”的个体的自然选择，因为它们的副作用之一——接受建议的倾向——作为报告生理特征。不幸的是，我们的理论假设目前无法通过实验证明。然而，我们相信，以自然主义的方式看待催眠性，