Reader’s Question

I was wondering if anybody had done any studies about subliminal messages during surgery?

I have to undergo a shoulder replacement surgery and I want to make a recording or hire someone to talk to me while I am under anesthesia until I wake up and have them tell me things like instead of feeling pain in my shoulder I will feel joy, or love. Instead of craving cigarettes I will crave water. Things like that.

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Interesting question… The idea of subliminal messages — messages intentionally designed to be recognized by the brain below the normal threshold of perception — has been around a long time. As you describe, the fantasy has been to hide advertising messages in background music or hidden images in visual advertising, all in an attempt to influence the customer in some direction. Over the years many businesses have focused on providing subliminal CDs to teach various subjects.

Can the brain recognize things below the threshold of normal sensory perception — Yes. Can that subliminal recognition influence us — No. While small hairs on my body recognize the presence of a flea on my arm, my brain doesn’t suddenly think about fleas. Research has not supported the use of subliminal messages or training. The example between astronomy and astrology is often used in this situation. The science of astronomy recognizes that the planets and stars are moving about, as emphasized by astrology, but there is no evidence that their movement in the cosmos influences our daily lives in any manner.

There is an option, however. Hypnotherapy might be considered, as hypnosis works in an entirely different way. Hypnotherapy would be a program used outside the surgical suite, however.