What About Hypnosis?

Scientific American, in a recent article, stated: "Though often denigrated as fakery or wishful thinking, hypnosis has been shown to be a real phenomenon with a variety of therapeutic uses -- especially in controlling pain"

Many people, when hypnotism is mentioned, think of the stage hypnotist, people acting the fools and barking like dogs and black-caped men with swinging pocket watches. Since the days of Franz Mesmer and 'animal magnetism,' hypnotism has walked a fine line between entertainment and practical use. What is the truth about this phenomenon called hypnotism?

During a session of hypnosis, although the term "sleepy" is often used when describing the process, you are not actually asleep. And you are most certainly not unconscious. What happens is that your conscious brain is relaxed, allowing your subconscious mind to become more active.

This is called an altered state of consciousness.

There are many medical uses for hypnosis. It has been used in weight control, quitting smoking, and controlling stress. Hypnosis can also be used to induce sleep.

Although, as stated above, you are not asleep during the hypnosis session, the deep state of relaxation, the removal of worries and tensions, and the elimination of stress are all great methods of getting to sleep. Post hypnotic suggestion is also useful. Post hypnotic suggestions are ideas placed in the subconscious by the hypnotist during the session. If he suggests that you will become sleepy and be able to fall asleep at a certain time every evening, it may work for some patients.

When first attempting to use hypnosis, it's best to find a reliable hypnotist, one versed in clinical hypnosis (not the local stage hypnotist.) Let him lead you through a few sessions until you discover how hypnosis works and how good a student you are. Some people are more easily hypnotized than others.

You may later be able to move on to self hypnosis. In reality, all hypnosis is self hypnosis. You cannot be hypnotized by someone else unless you desire it. Once you have learned to do so without the aid of a therapist, you will likely find it a very pleasurable experience.