Hypnosis, does this stuff really work?

I don’t know how it works! I have some theories and some expert definitions on hypnosis, but I like to keep the experience open and have my clients tell me what they feel after a session. Most of my clients report that it is very relaxing, it is easy to take in suggestions, and they were able to concentrate on my words. At other times, they tell me that they don’t remember a thing that I said and went on their own journey; however, when instructed to “wake up” and return to the present, they opened their eyes! So where did they go? What happening to them? Other clients tell me that they were not hypnotized at all, they did not feel a thing, yet they often report back that they have lost weight, stopped smoking or quit what ever habit they had before they came to me. Sometimes it works right away, sometimes, a month or so after a series of sessions. It is very individual.

Most people (around 70-75%) can be hypnotized to some degree. Clients report a light trance to deep sleep where they can even be operated on or have their teeth extracted. The small group that do not respond to hypnosis, it is just not the right tool to help with their problems.

Hypnosis has been used for healing purposes for over 3000 years. The induction of trance states and therapeutic suggestion were a central feature of the early Greek healing temples and written in the Egyptian hieroglyphs of the sleeping caves in Egypt.

Hypnosis was also used on animals and still is today by entertainers and even alligator reserves! Hypnosis was used in the early 1600, when farmers would “hypnotize” their chickens, rabbits, and birds, it helped to keep animals still during painful medical procedures. They would rub the underside of their bellies and the animals would freeze.

The words 'hypnosis' and 'hypnotism' both derive from the term "neuro-hypnotism" (nervous sleep) coined by the Scottish physician and surgeon James Braid around 1841. Although a popular misconception is that hypnosis is a form of unconsciousness resembling sleep, contemporary research suggests that it is actually a wakeful state of focused attention, and heightened suggestibility, with diminished peripheral awareness.

Here are some of the most respected definitions on hypnosis…after a session, I would love to hear from you and add your version to the list.

ASCH (American Society of Clinical Hypnosis)

“Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration, and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential, learn ing self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control.”

Milton Erickson the most influential hypnotherapist of the 20th century never conducted a hypnotherapy session the same way, his style was storytelling, a form of communication, an exchange of ideas. He defined hypnosis:”As a state of increased awareness and responsiveness to ideas or set of ideas.”

The American Psychological Association (APA) uses this scientific definition of hypnosis: “Hypnosis is a mental state (state theory) or set of attitudes (non-state theory) usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preliminary instructions and suggestions for using one’s imagination, and may contain further elaborations of the introduction. A hypnotic procedure is used to encourage and evaluate responses to suggestions.”

Ainsle Meares, MD, former president of the International Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis states that: “Hypnosis is a state of the higher functions of the brain shutting down and leaving the subject in a seemingly regressed mental state of more primitive functioning thus increasing the sway of suggestion and willingness to respond to suggestion.”

Finally, Friedemann Schaub had an “iceberg analogy” for hypnosis. Friedeman felt that the conscious mind is responsible for awareness in the waking state. The conscious mind is the place of cognitive learning and understanding , it comes up with logical solutions for problems The subconscious mind operates usually below the level of our normal consciousness, like the iceberg, the subconscious mind is vaster and the more substantial part of our mind. The subconscious mind is in charge of emotions, creativity and stores memories from any event in our past. Our deepest core beliefs, values and imprints are “anchored” and programmed into our subconscious mind. Through hypnosis, the subconscious mind is reached and thoughts can be changed on the deep mental, emotional and physical level.

Feel confused? Think of it as a journey to the creative side of your mind, where your authentic self can really come to life. The conscious (practical mind) is overridden and your subconscious (creative mind) opens up where anything is possible, that is where change takes place. It is during a hypnotherapy session that you realize that “that you are so much better than your wildest dreams.” F Perls