Part 5/16:
Simultaneously, there's increased connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the insula—a region involved in somatic awareness and pain modulation. For example, highly hypnotizable individuals can vividly imagine food, resulting in measurable physiological responses like increased gastric acid secretion. Conversely, relaxing thoughts can decrease such responses, demonstrating that the brain can consciously influence bodily functions in ways previously thought impossible.