The purpose was to determine at what psychophysiological levels, and to what quantitative extent, hypnotic anesthesia is able to inhibit or otherwise modify the reactions to pain stimuli. Facial flinch and the increased oscillation in respiratory tracing are nearly eliminated by hypnotic anesthesia. Pulse variability due to pain is reduced by suggested amnesia. Galvanic skin reaction reduces 20% on the anesthetic leg. Modifications of pain reactions do not take place when the subject is instructed to inhibit them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)