What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness that often involves deep states of relaxation. It also involves your mind being in a heightened state of awareness. We all go in and out of trance at various times of the day and night. Daydreaming is a good example of being in a trance as is driving on a motorway and not being consciously aware of how far you have driven.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic setting as opposed to stage hypnosis which is for entertainment purposes only. Once in the trance state the hypnotherapist can make positive acceptable suggestions that your unconscious mind can use to solve a vast number of emotional and physical problems.

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to treat a wide variety of clinical and psychological disorders such as impotence, premature ejaculation, fear, high blood pressure, insomnia and skin conditions, to name but a few.

Who hypnotises me?

All hypnosis is self hypnosis; the hypnotherapist is there to act as a guide to taking you into a deeper state of trance than can normally be achieved on your own. The skill of the hypnotherapist lies in giving you appropriate suggestions to meet particular needs. The positive frame of mind that hypnosis induces can easily be taught so that it can be practiced at home and prove to be a wonderful tool that you can use for the rest of your life.

Will I loose control?

You are always in control and can come out of the trance at any moment. Most people find it a very pleasurable state to be in and often don’t want to be emerged when they are!

Will I fall asleep?

The hypnotherapist will be monitoring you at all times and will make sure that you do not fall asleep as the trance state is not sleep but deep relaxation.

Is hypnosis real? If so, how does it work?

Yes, it's real. Exactly how it works is still under investigation. Over the past few years, researchers have found that when someone is hypnotised, they actively respond to suggestions, even though they sometimes might perceive the dramatic changes in thought and behavior they experience as happening "by themselves." During hypnosis, it is as if the brain temporarily suspends its efforts to validate incoming sensory information, allowing new behaviors and thoughts to occur. And, some people are more hypnotisable than others, although scientists still don't know why.

Is hypnosis medically approved?

Hypnosis was first officially recognized as a viable therapeutic tool by the British Government through the Hypnotism Act in 1952. Then, in 1958 both the British and the American Medical Associations (AMA) sanctioned the official use of hypnosis by physicians. In 1958, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) also approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals.

How is hypnosis thought of today, generally?

Myths still abound regarding hypnosis, although it is becoming more widely accepted and trusted. Hypnosis cannot be used to control someone else's mind, or their actions. By using hypnosis, people gain greater control over their own minds and their own actions.

Who can be hypnotised?

Most people can be hypnotised, and different people go into hypnosis in different ways. Part of the hypnotist's job is to identify what approach will work best for which subject. Those who have trouble trusting the hypnotist or the process, may take more time to go into a hypnotic state, and may not enjoy as many benefits.

There is a common idea that those with 'a strong will' cannot be hypnotised. It has been shown that intelligent people can be hypnotised faster because they have greater access to their imagination, and can follow instructions. In fact, those with an extremely low intelligence cannot be hypnotised at all. The biggest prerequisite to someone being able to be hypnotised is their willingness.

What about stage shows?

Sometimes hypnosis is feared, because often the view of the subject surrendering their 'will' is reinforced by stage hypnotism. It is helpful to remember that stage hypnotists design their shows for entertainment purposes, which include participants doing strange things. What people don't realize is that the stage hypnotist chooses only those who are highly suggestible, and may have a desire to have a "different" or less inhibited experience of them selves. In a hypnotic state, people can give themselves permission to do many things that they may not otherwise be able to do.

In getting more comfortable with the subject of hypnosis, it is often helpful to know what hypnosis is NOT, to know better what it IS, and can do. Solid research findings can help dispel even the most popular of myths.

Points of Interest:

Research shows that physiological responses indicate that hypnotised subjects are not lying.
Hypnotic procedures are natural and safe and no more distressing than history lectures in high school.
Hypnotised subjects may be relaxed, but they are fully awake; and a person can be in hypnosis while running, or dancing, or driving.

Many research tests show placebo responsiveness and hypnotisability are not correlated.
Hypnotised subjects are perfectly capable of saying no, or terminating hypnosis, all by themselves. And there is research available to show that as well.

What can hypnosis help with?

Hypnosis helps change attitudes, which is the key to changing behaviour. With hypnosis, a person is empowered, and made independent enough to solve his/her own problems. With hypnosis a person can change behaviours that would otherwise seem difficult, if not impossible, to change.

Hypnosis can also improve your essential experience of life, in all its circumstances. Only within the past 40 years have scientists become equipped with instruments, techniques and methods for accurately separating the facts of hypnosis from exaggerated claims. The study of hypnotic phenomena is now properly held within the domain of normal cognitive science, with papers on hypnosis published in many major scientific and medical journals. Newest clinical research findings reveal, however, that hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion, when used properly, can powerfully alter cognitive processes as diverse as memory and pain perception.

If you can think it, and believe it, hypnosis can help make it so.