When most of my friends were busy finding out what drug filled bloodstreams felt like back in the 60's, my fascination with the mind drove me to do some experimenting of my own. Considering the large number of available subjects, it didn't take much doing to end up with a personal list of the effects different drugs had on different kinds of people. I suppose I could have saved myself plenty of time and just bought one of the many books around by the likes of Norman Mailer that offered first hand research, but it was much more fun this way.

As I kept track of how people seemed to act while intoxicated or otherwise affected by outside influences, I soon found myself watching people after a night of heavy coffee drinking or intense exercise. Eventually I stretched my prying to include such subtle influences as a day of heavy studying, after hearing bad news, while planning an exciting outing. I tried to estimate their attention span and how focussed they were. I looked for signs of how well they seemed to be thinking out their conclusions. Then I tried to find them in their "normal" state and compare notes. Granted my research was far from scientific, but it led me on to take a look, a few years later, into more legitimate studies that seemed to draw many of the same conclusions I was finding. Conclusions that were to have a very influential impact on my future therapy methods.

Most of us study hypnotherapy in a vacuum. While condemning the mainstream for not being broadminded enough to accept the capabilities of a hypnotized mindset, we somehow shut ourselves off from the outside world as we become "proficient" at repositioning anchors. If we work at looking at the broader picture, we have to admit that a lot goes into a quality hypnotherapeutic session. Obviously there's the confidence level and general demeanor of your office, but all the preparation in the world can't prepare a client fully for the experience to come. Are they preoccupied? Do they have a problem focussing? Do they really feel up to "working on a task" right now?
And then you have the follow through. What kind of person is leaving your office? Is it a dynamic "I can make it happen this time" kind of person, or are you dealing with a person who's character keeps them from taking chances, of any kind? A person who might be described as having a fear of growth?

As I watched peoples reactions to different drugs, I soon discovered much more practical reactions are regularly caused by other influences. And understanding them can truly have a very powerful impact on the results of a therapy session.
Probably the best way to introduce this would be to try to establish some general guidelines we'll be working with. Suppose I told you I had a pill you could give a client that would guarantee heightened states of alertness, awareness and aggression. It would make a person feel like they could tackle the world. A small dose of this drug would help "wake up" clients that would otherwise be spacey and preoccupied. Unfortunately, this drug is not a wonder drug. Too much of this drug would create undue anxiety, feelings of detachment, sleep disturbances and overactive sex drive. 

The chemical is called dopamine, and it's actually a hormone like chemical released naturally within the brain known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that control our moods and reactions. Even our body motions are ultimately stimulated by neurotransmitters. It's a very delicate balance of dopamine stimulating muscles (causing them to contract) and another neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, that relaxes muscles, that ultimately control every motion in our body.

The good news is that these emotional triggers are not randomly created. They each react in very predictable ways to certain triggers. Dopamine is produced by an amino acid called tyrosine. Tyrosine is a chemical found in all protein rich foods. Basically, a client having a problem focussing either in therapy or during follow up, might be asked to eat a protein rich meal an hour before your session, or before dealing with certain situations where focus and concentration will be needed. In most cases, having a steak before a test won't throw the system way off track, but the unfortunate side effects of continuous high levels of dopamine include schizophrenia, paranoia, hallucinations, delusion, social isolation and inappropriate responses. Carefully regulated medical research has shown that a three to four ounce serving of a protein rich meal will elevate dopamine levels and significantly effect mood and brain function. These effects usually can be expected within half an hour or less. Among the protein rich sources of tyrosine you might list; most fish, poultry, eggs, turkey, skinless chicken (to avoid the fat), veal, red meat, beans, lentils, soybeans and green beans.

Dopamine, and it's focussed awareness can also be triggered by mental imagery. Deadlines, challenges, excitement, risk taking, frightening situations, sex and fear all raise dopamine levels in the brain. Obviously, with the possible exception of sex, all these scenarios can be triggered hypnotically. But probably more important, lifestyles and our interpretation of issues and events around us can also create dopamine rushes. Someone having a problem "sticking to a task" might find that hypnotically placed suggestions about "looking for life's challenges" or maybe, "finding the excitement in everyday tasks" may find their attitude changing, not because of some magic stimulation, but more because of the extra dopamine produced by new attitudes.
Non emotional exercise has a strange effect on dopamine. Heavy aerobic exercise uses up dopamine which tends to relax a person. The problem is that soon after the dopamine is depleted, the body suddenly recognizes the shortage and immediately gets busy producing more dopamine. Soon after the "relaxation" of a casual jog, our body gets "wired" with excess dopamine. It's this up and down chemical reaction that makes working out so addictive. It's relaxing right after the fact, but it leads to tension that can later only be relieved by more exercise.
Competitive exercise produces dopamine, and can keep the level elevated long after the exercise. So where "taking a walk" will relax you and then cause a high, playing basketball, or for that matter, even playing a competitive board game like chess, will cause dopamine levels to raise and stay elevated.

Another interesting neurotransmitter is serotonin. Whereas dopamine may be associated with the jock or competitive business man, serotonin might be best demonstrated in a well centered monk.  When present, serotonin creates feelings of well being, relaxation, personal security and restful sleep. It helps the brain to be more focussed and less distracted. Emotions like joy, peace and happiness are usually triggered by normal or higher serotonin levels. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) did a study where military men with low serotonin levels were found to have histories of antisocial behavior and were much more prone to violence. In fact, even among the violent men, those with lower serotonin levels were the most violent. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was possibly the most notable institution of many to find that higher levels of serotonin increase tolerance to pain and our ability to deal with pain mentally. The NIMH study ultimately concluded that the aggression caused by low serotonin level that initially (usually in teen years) created violent behavior, eventually was turned inward, against oneself. Their studies found that most men that commit suicide, especially by use of violence, showed a low level of serotonin.

In short, low levels of serotonin create; depression, low self esteem, poor concentration, declines in moods, difficulty making decisions, low energy and fatigue, decreased sex drive, excessive feelings of guilt and unworthiness and fluctuations in appetite (usually creating high cravings for carbohydrates but little appetite for other foods).
Antidepressant drugs like Prozac work by elevating serotonin levels. They create higher levels of self esteem and self confidence, thus creating an atmosphere for personal expression and growth. Fortunately, we aren't limited to synthetic drugs like Prozac and it's possible side effects of anxiety, nausea, gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, dizziness and lightheadedness. Quiet music, meditative atmospheres, prayer, and even hypnosis have all been found to help elevate serotonin levels. Diet, exercise and thought processes can also be made to help raise serotonin levels.
In order for food to create serotonin, they must contain high carbohydrate levels. Carbs tend to boost the blood levels of tryptophan. You may recognize this amino acid as the "culprit" that causes drowsiness after Thanksgiving diners. Although red meats and foods rich in animal protein contain tryptophan, studies show that serotonin levels tend to decrease when these are eaten. This paradox is created because of a guarding mechanism known as the blood-brain barrier. Animal protein contains a large number of amino acids. As they all compete for passage at the blood-brain barrier, tryptophan is far outnumbered and therefore doesn't make it, causing serotonin levels to drop. Carbohydrates show far larger percentages of tryptophan which causes it to push through, elevating serotonin levels. 

This highly desirable mental state for individuals seeking hypnotic help either in therapy or self hypnotic situations can be created by eating: whole grains (such as brown rice, wheat, oats, millet and barley). Grain flour products, rolls, crackers, bagels, cornbread, burritos, pastries, sweet rolls, potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, squashes and simple sugar. Sounds a lot like a Thanksgiving diner, doesn't it?  Studies show that one and a half ounces of a carbohydrate food (about two slices of toast or a couple of cookies), will raise serotonin levels significantly, and do it quickly. Try having a couple slices of toast about 20 minutes before doing self hypnosis. You'll notice a definite difference. A platter of cookies or bagels in your lobby might help produce adequate serotonin levels in waiting subjects.
Although fruit contains carbohydrates. Like protein, it doesn't work towards production of serotonin. Quiet walks, non strenuous bike rides, reading, prayer, meditation, daydreaming and "spacing out" all help elevate serotonin levels in the mind. 

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that might be best described as the muscle control and memory drug. Alzheimer and tardive dyskinesia (the disease characterized by uncontrollable jerking of the face, tongue and upper body) have been associated with low levels of acetylcholine. I mentioned earlier that it was the combination of acetylcholine and dopamine that make muscles move. Without the ability to expand created by acetylcholine, muscles are left to spasm uncontrollably when triggered by dopamine. Of more interest to those of us seeking to help clients, low levels of acetylcholine have been associated with memory loss. In fact, individuals with low acetylcholine levels also find themselves suffering of: blurred vision, pounding heart, nervousness, weakness, mental confusion, impotence, insomnia, constipation, increased heart rate, loss of taste, drowsiness and urine retention. 
Acetylcholine is produced when the amino acid choline is consumed. Choline is found in legumes, organ and muscle meat, milk and whole grain cereals. It's also very high in egg yolks and soybeans. Phosphatidyl choline, commonly known as lecithin, can be found in capsules, liquid and granules form.
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that has been shown to speed up the thought process. Low levels typically produce weight gain, depression, low energy and decreased sex drive. When chronically low, clients discover: insomnia, short term memory loss, attention deficit disorders, obesity, disorientation, dull or slow thought process and male impotence. On the flip side, very high levels of norepinephrine are demonstrated by: anxiety, increased sex drive, weight loss, racing or pounding heart, increased breathing, increased blood pressure and excess energy. Norepinephrine is created by the amino acid tyrosine. This can be found in protein rich foods, such as fish, all red meats, eggs and low fat dairy products.

Over the years I've depended on these guidelines to help make my therapy more holistic. Rather than start prescribing Prozac (which I'm not qualified to prescribe anyway), individuals suffering of depression and low self esteem are usually sent off with a recommendation that they spend a week trying to eat more of the carbohydrates and take up meditation. I'll also recommend they keep a basket of crackers or bagels around the house to munch on. I finish by suggesting a daily "walk in the park" of sorts. I don't tell them what's really happening, but in my mind, I'm busy trying to create a lifestyle that will increase serotonin levels in their brain. I'll reinforce these recommendations by creating powerful metaphors in their minds of themselves enjoying quiet walks, taking 20 minutes off to "relax" in the back of the house and enjoying carbohydrates (usually focussed on carbohydrate rich foods the client has admitted to liking during the pretalk). Yes, the hypnotic session has a powerful impact on the low self esteem of the client, but my "secret weapon" is actually how I adjust the therapy to create a lifestyle that cures the problem by readjusting the serotonin levels in the brain. 
When clients used to walk in to my office in Los Angeles (back when we were running the institute) looking for help with study abilities (or concentration at work, etc) I would hypnotize them and have them see themselves succeeding, making it all happen the way they wanted to. But then I'd bring them back and we'd talk some about lifestyle. I'd suggest they spend a week working on their diet, explaining that a lot of research has shown that what we eat has a big impact on how we think. I had a small sheet printed out that listed "Memory Foods" as legumes, egg yolks, soybeans, whole grain cereals (to raise the Acetylcholine levels). "Thought Speed and Accuracy" was associated with protein rich foods and lecithin (to increase Norepinephrine) and finally "Mental Balance" was associated with rolls, crackers, cornbreads, bagels, sweet potatoes (to raise Serotonin) and finally I recommended daily meditation. I explained that it would help them anchor in what we had done in therapy, but in reality, what was happening was I was again aiding the serotonin development. If the client followed my advice, they would quickly feel a great difference in the way they thought, a feeling that would be highly addictive to a person used to unfocussed low self esteem thinking. To help encourage their follow through I'd do a lot of anchoring with these behaviors during the hypnotic session, and I'd stress, very emphatically how important it was that they make the changes in their lifestyle.

I'll be the first to admit that a lot of my techniques are based on studies and research that took place 15 years ago. I recommend it because I know it works, and it's passed the test of time in my experience. I'm sure anyone interested in this approach to therapy might be well advised to look into Ginseng extracts that are supposed to promote better oxygen utilization and increase physical endurance. Ginkgo Biloba that promises to improve memory and concentration probably works by increasing acetylcholine levels. Again, although I take them daily, I haven't experimented enough to make a valid judgement. An herbalist might be able to shed some light on claims that  Catnip, Ginseng, Skullcap, Chamomile, Passionflower and Valerian can all be used to relieve stress. There's a lot of research and "tips" out there for those willing to search, and in the long run it will do nothing but make you more rounded and effective in your therapy approach.