It's a matter of terminology, and often many terms are used personally. For example, hypnosis is a term that could be considered a derivative of the word hypnotism, originally corresponding to the result of hypnotism. A possible nomenclature could be:

Hypnosis, formerly called suggestion, is closely linked to the power of speech. It is possible to hypnotize without physiological modification. For instance, Igor Ledochowski, who was among our students, is the proponent of "covert hypnosis." This encompasses direct hypnosis (Elman) and indirect hypnosis (Erickson).

Magnetism involves physiological changes and could also be referred to as "parasympathetic activation state," but there are many aspects, such as the unique rapport with the operator, that cannot be fully explained by these terms alone. This type of reaction could potentially be elicited through speech but more reliably with non-verbal techniques. It can also be induced in animals through magnetic passes over the body, likely resulting in a strong activation of the frontal vagus nerve. This refers to Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory.

Mesmerism was once used generically. Currently, we use it to highlight the "mesmeric crisis," which is very useful, for example, in resolving traumas.

Fascination pertains to the power of gaze, a state also found in animals and, unlike the previous state, even in reptiles. This likely involves the activation of primitive mechanisms linked to the dorsal nerve.

There is also a form of very physical hypnotism, such as for shock.

The idea that we have a network inside our mind always working that could be accessed or even deactivated leads us to recognize different types of trance

For example, in practising fascination we get different types of trances. 

Sometimes we can use fascination for increase the memory of a person, but if we "push" fascination the person goes in a strange state, with dorsal parasympathetic dominance, where memory apparently is less present.

It means we uncover two distinct types that offer unique pathways to personal insight and healing. These trance states engage various brain networks, including the Default Mode Network (DMN), and play pivotal roles in memory processing and therapeutic applications.

Type 1: Memory-Accessing Trance

The first type of hypnotic trance allows individuals to delve into their memories, accessing and retrieving past experiences with clarity. This state is characterized by the activation of the DMN, a brain network involved in self-referential thought processes. During this trance, participants can navigate through their personal histories, uncovering and examining memories that may be pivotal for therapeutic insight.

Type 2: Deep Identity-Dissociative Trance

The second, deeper level of trance transcends mere memory retrieval, entering a profound state of dissociation from personal identity—akin to amnesia. In this trance, individuals may feel as though they are existing "before memory," disconnected from their personal narrative and history. This experience is marked by a significant reduction in DMN activity, reflecting a shift away from self-focused thoughts toward a more expansive state of awareness.
Individuals may experience a sense of existing in a timeless, amnesic state, detached from the continuity of their personal story. This profound level of trance offers an expansive sense of being that transcends the usual boundaries of self, akin to experiencing a vast, open landscape devoid of personal landmarks.

Therapeutic Implications

These trance states hold powerful therapeutic potential. The memory-accessing trance offers a direct route to revisiting and recontextualizing past events, providing a foundation for healing and emotional integration. The deep, identity-dissociative trance, on the other hand, offers a unique opportunity to transcend the confines of personal narrative and experience a profound sense of liberation and renewal. This state can be particularly transformative, allowing individuals to experience a sense of unity and connection beyond the self.

Neurogenesis and Healing

Beyond their immediate psychological benefits, these trance states may also promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus, the brain region involved in memory formation and retrieval. This capacity for generating new neurons underscores the brain's remarkable plasticity and suggests that hypnotic trance can contribute to cognitive and emotional resilience.

In summary, the two types of hypnotic trance each offer distinct pathways to healing and self-discovery. Whether through the deep exploration of personal memories or the transcendental experience of identity dissociation, these trance states harness the brain's innate capacities for change, offering profound therapeutic benefits.

Dr. Paret extensively studied an Italian hypnotist named Virgilio, who utilized a unique technique known as "fascination" to induce hypnosis. What set this method apart from other trance-inducing approaches was the profound alteration in the subjects' demeanor. They seemed to lose their sense of self entirely, adopting a peculiar gaze that, in the most intense instances, indicated a complete disconnection from the autonomous ventral vagal system. This state resembled a form of primal hypnosis, characterized by the activation of the dorsal vagus. Virgilio's technique bore a striking resemblance to the method employed by Donato, highlighting a shared foundation in their hypnotic practices. 
Enrico Morselli's observations of the hypnotizer Donato reveal insightful aspects of hypnotic trance and its neurological underpinnings, especially concerning the Default Mode Network (DMN). Let's alternate between Morselli's original observations (translated into English and quoted) and neurological explanations based on the DMN's involvement in such hypnotic states.

Morselli notes, "First of all, from what I have carefully gathered, it seems that even in Donato's experiments and in the people he fascinated, there exists a great variety of phenomena and results." This statement highlights the diverse responses individuals have to hypnotic induction, suggesting a complex interplay of brain networks, including the DMN.

He continues, "At first, in most subjects, his maneuvers do not immediately lead to active somnambulism and unconscious automatism; but, as some of his subjects well expressed and as I myself was able to experience in small part, there remains more or less complete consciousness, and only the suggestive automatism of imitation is provoked, which would be precisely the characteristic of fascination or 'Donatian period' of hypnotism." This phase, where consciousness is still present but suggestibility is increased, aligns with the DMN's role in facilitating a state of focused, yet relaxed attention, allowing for heightened suggestibility without complete loss of awareness.

Morselli further elaborates, "Sometimes, however, even from the beginning in some subjects, and always in all after repeated fascinations, the somnambulistic state is perfect, precisely as in hypnotized subjects." This deeper state, akin to somnambulism, might correspond to a significant reduction in DMN activity, leading to a disconnection from the self and the surrounding environment, similar to deep meditative states or profound hypnotic trances.

Regarding the induction process, Morselli describes, "After an initial degree, in a second one briefly experiences a real feeling of volitional impotence, similar to that which accompanies certain fearful dreams in which we imagine being attacked and unable to flee. The consciousness also witnesses in this process the effects of the donatization: in fact, one soon feels, to put it in vulgar terms, subjugated, dominated, 'fascinated' in short by Donato." This description suggests an overwhelming influence on the individual's executive functions and sense of agency, potentially mediated by the DMN's modulation, as the individual becomes more receptive to external suggestions and less in control of their actions.

In the final stages, Morselli observes, "In a third degree, the processes simplify: now the 'sensitivity' of the individual is complete. Just that Donato suddenly grabs him by the neck (as Hansen does), or stares insistently into his eyes, or makes him fixate on any point, or rubs him on the vertex (lambdoid region) for the subject to follow him, imitate him, and let himself be completely dominated." This culmination of the hypnotic process into complete domination and suggestibility may involve a full disengagement of the DMN, leading to a state where the individual's actions are no longer self-directed but are instead entirely influenced by the hypnotizer.

Morselli's detailed account provides a vivid depiction of the hypnotic trance's progression, correlating with our understanding of the DMN's involvement in self-referential thought, consciousness, and the sense of agency. These observations offer a fascinating insight into the neural mechanisms underlying hypnotic states, bridging historical hypnotic practices with contemporary neuroscience.

Type 1 hypnotic trance presents a unique state of consciousness that challenges the conventional dichotomy between restful introspection and active engagement with the world. Traditionally, there's an understood trade-off in our mental processes: when we turn inward, delving into self-awareness or introspection, our capacity for outward focus and goal-directed behavior diminishes. Conversely, when our attention is anchored in the external world, our inner landscape receives less scrutiny. However, hypnotic trance, particularly Type 1, transcends this binary, facilitating a simultaneous inward and outward awareness.

The Role of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

During a Type 1 trance, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region associated with attentional focus, becomes particularly active. This activation leads to a narrowing of attention, akin to a spotlight intensifying its beam. Yet, unlike our typical waking state where narrowed attention diminishes vigilance to external stimuli, hypnosis modifies this dynamic. The posterior attentional system, usually responsible for broader vigilance and awareness, is dialed down. This unique neurological configuration under hypnosis fosters a state of focused relaxation, where one remains responsive and attuned to internal processes without losing touch with the external environment.

Meditation and the Dual Effect

This phenomenon is mirrored in meditation practices, where neuroimaging studies have observed the simultaneous activation of both the sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous systems. This dual activation cultivates a state of serene alertness, where calm and readiness coexist. Furthermore, during meditation—and similarly in hypnosis—there's heightened activity in the brain's reward pathways, especially within the hippocampus and amygdala, regions linked to memory and emotional processing. This activity correlates with increased dopamine levels, enhancing the overall experience of well-being and engagement.

Implications for Therapy and Self-Exploration

The dual effect observed in Type 1 trance offers profound implications for therapeutic practices and self-exploration. By enabling individuals to maintain a focused yet relaxed state of awareness, hypnosis provides a fertile ground for delving into personal memories and emotions while remaining grounded in the present. This balanced state of consciousness can facilitate deeper insights, emotional processing, and integration, contributing to healing and personal growth.

In summary, Type 1 hypnotic trance exemplifies the brain's remarkable ability to navigate and integrate diverse states of consciousness. It challenges the conventional boundaries between internal and external awareness, offering a nuanced pathway to explore the depths of the psyche while maintaining a connection to the present moment. This unique state underscores the potential of hypnosis as a tool for enhancing mindfulness, emotional regulation, and therapeutic transformation.

When the DMN deactivates we can be in supraconscience, it means a higher perception.
Achieving States of Supraconsciousness

Supraconsciousness, or a state of heightened awareness and perception, can be achieved through practices that balance or maximize the activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Meditation and certain hypnotic practices can induce a "spillover" effect where both systems are activated simultaneously, leading to states of profound relaxation coupled with intense alertness or energy bursts. This balance can result in experiences of deep tranquility, kundalini awakening, or mystical union, characterized in Buddhist practice as Appana Samadhi.

Neurological Mechanisms

These profound experiences involve complex neurological processes, including the maximal stimulation of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. In certain peak experiences, such as near-death experiences or intense mystical states, this dual activation creates an overwhelming sense of unity and transcendence.
Focused concentration on a particular object can lead to such an absorption that it results in a complete merger with the object, facilitated by the blocking of specific brain regions, such as the left posterior superior parietal lobe, which is involved in self-other differentiation.

Conclusion

The exploration of trance states and supraconsciousness through the lens of neuroscience offers a fascinating glimpse into the human capacity for profound psychological and spiritual experiences. By understanding the neural underpinnings of these states, we gain insights into the potential for transcending ordinary consciousness and accessing deeper dimensions of being. These states not only provide therapeutic benefits but also offer pathways to understanding the intricate connections between the mind, brain, and the broader expanse of consciousness.