The Myths About Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis has been used for a long period of time for its therapeutic benefits; in the cases of people wishing to remove certain behaviour patterns that hinder them in every day life. For example helping to deal with certain psychological anomalies or helping people to stop smoking, deal with low self esteem, aid weight loss and other issues. Despite the usefulness of hypnosis it instils an element of uncertainty in people. As a result there are several misconceptions about the discipline.

If You Can Be Hypnotised You Have A ‘Weak’ Mental State

The reason that a person can be affected by hypnosis lies in the ability to achieve a state of deep relaxation. At this level of relaxation, the brainwaves are operating at the “alpha” level. Alpha states are conducive to hypnosis and meditation, physical relaxation and heightened creativity. This is one of four primary brainwave patterns and all are measurable on the electroencephalograph (E.E.G.). The strength of mind of a person is irrelevant to being able to reach the alpha state. During hypnosis the person being hypnotised has full control over the depth of relaxation that they want to achieve.

Hypnotised People Don’t Know What They Are Saying

When a person is in the deep relaxation or trance associated with hypnosis they are able to hear everything that is being said to them by their practitioner. They are still conversant and remain in full control. ‘Stage Hypnosis’ which is used as a performance and entertainment medium often shows audience members jumping about the stage clucking like chickens or performing some other funny antic. As people who have volunteered to go under a hypnotic trance they are fully aware of what they are doing despite carrying out ludicrous demands made by the ‘Stage Hypnotist’.

On other occasions hypnotherapy is used to reveal repressed memories or information. In these cases the subject has chosen to reach deeper trance states than normally used in hypnosis in the process of revealing once thought to be forgotten repressed information. No information can be extracted against the subject’s will

You Can Be Hypnotised Against Your Will

In all cases of hypnosis, its success lies in the subject to be put under a trance, actually wanting to be hypnotised. In other words all hypnosis can be seen as being self-hypnosis. There are methods for inducing a trance (deep relaxation) in resistant subjects; however, even those methods are not effective unless you intend to be hypnotised.

If You Can Hear It Means That You Did Not Get Hypnotised

Being in a state of deep relaxation means that you are relatively free from the regular thought processes that bombard the mind during everyday consciousness. In the absence of the normal distracting thoughts, the mind can focus more clearly to achieve relaxation. To help achieve this state the therapist may suggest that the subject imagines their favourite place or favourite time of year. They may simply guide you through an imaginary journey that aids the relaxation process. With the visualisations that are being made, the sun may actually feel warm on your skin, as in your imagined ’favourite place’. In other words you will everything that is being said but with a greater depth of focus.

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