Intl. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1): 32–58, 2007 Copyright © International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis ISSN: 0020-7144 print / 1744-5183 online DOI: 10.1080/00207140600995844 HYPNOTIC DEPTH AND RESPONSE TO SUGGESTION UNDER STANDARDIZED CONDITIONS AND DURING fMRI SCANNING David A. Oakley 1 University College London, UK Quinton Deeley Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK Peter W. Halligan Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK Abstract: Hypnosis is a potentially valuable cognitive tool for neuroimaging studies. However, understandable concern that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in particular may adversely affect hypnotic procedures remains. Measurements of hypnotic depth and responsiveness to suggestions were taken using a standardized proce- dure that met all the requirements for functional MRI (fMRI). Testing outside the scanning environment showed reliable and stable changes in subjective hypnotic depth, with no carryover once the hypnosis had been terminated. Within-subject comparisons showed that the magnitude and pattern of these changes and the degree of respon- siveness to hypnotic suggestion were not discernibly affected by the fMRI environment. It is concluded that hypnosis can be employed as a discrete and reliable cognitive tool within fMRI neuroimaging settings. There is rapidly growing interest in employing hypnosis as a tool in cognitive neuropsychological research (Oakley, 2006) and in using brain-imaging techniques to explore hypnosis and the phenomena created by suggestion following hypnotic induction (Kihlstrom, 2003; Rainville & Price, 2003; Ray & Oathes, 2003; Spiegel, 2003; Woody & McConkey, 2003; Woody & Szechtman, 2003). To Manuscript submitted October 10, 2005; final revision received May 19, 2006. 1 Address correspondence to David A. Oakley, Hypnosis Unit, Department of Psychology (Bedford Way Building), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. E-mail: d.oakley@ucl.ac.uk 32