Hypnosis

Overview

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy, is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. It’s a type of mind-body medicine.

A trained and certified hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides you into this deep state of focus and relaxation with verbal cues, repetition and imagery. When you’re under hypnosis, this intense level of concentration and focus allows you to ignore ordinary distractions and be more open to guided suggestions to make changes to improve your health.

How does hypnosis work?

How hypnosis works isn’t completely understood. However, it’s commonly believed that in the deep state of focus and relaxation that’s achieved with hypnosis:

  • Your conscious mind is quieted.
  • You’re able to tap into the part of your brain where your thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions, memory and behaviors originate.
  • In this state, you’re more open to gentle guidance from your hypnotherapist to help you modify or replace the unconscious thoughts that are driving your current behavior.

What are some myths about hypnosis?

Myth: Hypnosis isn’t real. It’s a form of entertainment.

Hypnosis isn’t a stage act or some magical act. Clinical hypnosis is a type of medical therapy that’s often used as part of a treatment plan that includes traditional medical approaches.

Myth: You lose consciousness or have amnesia when you’re hypnotized.

Most people remember everything that happens during hypnosis. You remain aware of who you are, where you are and remember what happened during a hypnosis session.

Myth: You’re under the control of your hypnotherapist when you’re hypnotized.

Your hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides hypnosis, but hypnosis is something you do for yourself. You can’t be made to do anything against your will. You won’t reveal any information that you wished to remain secret. You don’t lose control over your behavior. Hypnosis makes it easier to experience suggestions but doesn’t force you to have certain experiences.

Myth: Hypnosis is nothing more than deep sleep.

Hypnosis isn’t sleeping. There are some deeper forms of hypnosis that could make you appear to be asleep because your body is very still and quiet, but you aren’t asleep.

What conditions is hypnosis helpful in treating?

Hypnosis may help treat any number of medical conditions in which psychological factors influence physical symptoms.

Common mental health uses include:

Common medical uses include:

Hypnosis continues to be explored for use in these and many other medical conditions.

How do people describe the hypnotic experience?

People describe hypnosis in different ways. You may feel like you’re “zoned in” or in a trance-like state — so focused that you’re able to block out surrounding distractions. Have you ever been so focused on a TV show or so entrenched in a good book that you don’t hear your family talking around you or even your dog barking? This experience is somewhat similar to how you might feel while hypnotized. Many people say they feel calm and relaxed despite their increased concentration. Most described it as a pleasant experience.

Procedure Details

What typically happens during a hypnotic session?

There are four stages of hypnosis: induction, deepener, suggestions and emergence.

Induction

During this stage, you begin to relax, focus your attention and ignore distractions. Your hypnotist will guide you through this stage with specific techniques such as controlled breathing (breathing in over a count of seven, then breathing out over a count of 11), or progressive muscle relaxation (tensing muscles as you breathe in and relaxing muscles as you breathe out, then repeating in a certain order of muscle groups throughout your body) or focusing on a visual image.

Deepener

This stage continues the first stage, taking your relaxation and focus to a deeper level. This step often involves counting down or using similar descending imagery such as walking down stairs or slowly sinking deeper and deeper into a comfortable bed. These first two stages are aimed at easing your openness to suggestions.

Suggestions

This is the stage for actual change in experience, behavior or perception. Your hypnotist will use imagery and carefully chosen language. The suggestions are usually symptom focused (to resolve a symptom) or exploratory (to explore experiences associated with the start of symptoms). Suggested changes may be in perception, sensation, emotion, memory, thought or behavior.

Example: To quit smoking, you’ll learn to identify your triggers to want to smoke, learn positive ways to change, understand resources to effect change, disrupt your pattern, attach a better response, notice the difference and install the changed behavior. You may be encouraged to see your “old” self with black lungs in a mirror behind you and see your “new” healthy self with clean lungs in a mirror in front. You’ll then be guided to choose which self you like and to walk toward that self.

Emergence

During this stage, you come out of hypnosis. Your hypnotist may use reverse deepeners, such as giving you the suggestions that you’re climbing up stairs or counting up.

Is hypnosis used as the sole treatment?

Hypnosis is usually used along with other therapies and treatments, as part of a complete total treatment plan. The decision to use hypnotherapy in a clinical setting as a sole treatment or as an add-on treatment in psychotherapy or traditional medicine is made in consultation with a qualified professional who’s trained in the use and limitations of hypnotherapy.

What’s the typical length of treatment with hypnotherapy?

There’s no typical length. Treatment varies depending on what and how severe the issue is. Hypnosis may take many sessions.

Risks / Benefits

Does hypnosis work?

Despite its use since the 1700s, hypnosis continues to have skeptics in the medical community. However, it’s becoming a more accepted and recognized form of therapy. The number of certified and licensed medical professionals incorporating hypnotherapy in their practice is increasing.

Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of hypnotherapy has been limited, but is growing. Some studies show “promising” results or “may be helpful in” conclusions. The strongest evidence supporting the use of hypnotic treatments comes from research on hypnosis for treating pain, IBS and PTSD symptoms. Most medical associations and organizations state that more studies are needed to draw meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of hypnotherapy.

Can anyone be hypnotized?

Each person differs in their ability to be hypnotized. A person’s fears or concerns about hypnosis may interfere with their ability to be hypnotized.

What type of person benefits the most from hypnosis?

The person most likely to benefit is the person who’s highly motivated to overcome an issue. Like any other treatment, hypnosis may be helpful for certain conditions or in certain people, but it can also be unhelpful.

Is hypnotherapy inappropriate for some people or in certain situations?

Hypnosis may not be appropriate for people with severe mental health issues, such as psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. It might also be inappropriate for someone who uses drugs or alcohol. The use of hypnosis for memory retrieval is largely unsupported by research. Caution is also advised regarding its use in managing stressful events from early life. The use of hypnosis in these situations may create false memories, especially if unintended suggestions are given, and could cause more distress and anxiety.

Additional Common Questions

Is hypnotherapy dangerous?

Hypnosis is a safe procedure when done by a trained hypnotist. Hypnosis isn’t mind control or brainwashing. Your hypnotist can’t make you do something embarrassing or something you don’t want to do.

Is self-hypnosis possible?

Yes, it’s possible to practice self-hypnosis. Deep breathing, imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness techniques may work similarly to aspects of hypnosis. This can be particularly useful for controlling the side effects of chemotherapy or managing recurring (repeating) health issues, such as headache pain.

What is sleep hypnosis?

Sleep hypnosis is using hypnosis to manage sleep problems, such as insomnia and sleep anxiety. It’s not about helping you sleep during a hypnotherapy session. Sleep hypnosis helps you work on the underlying issues that prevent you from getting quality sleep. Sleep hypnosis may be used along with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapyfor insomnia.

How do I select a hypnotist?

First, look for a healthcare professional who’s properly trained, licensed and credentialed in a healthcare field such as medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, psychology, social work or nursing. This practitioner should have additional training in hypnosis or hypnotherapy techniques. Hypnosis should be used along with their mental health and medical training as an additional treatment tool. Ask the practitioner you intend to see about their training and credentials to practice hypnosis. Also ask if they’re experienced in the condition(s) you’re seeking care for.

You’ll want to find a hypnotist you feel comfortable with and trust. Don’t hesitate to try a different hypnotist if you feel they aren’t the right fit for you.

Conclusion

Hypnosis is a shift in consciousness that enables you to tap into core thoughts, emotions, perceptions, beliefs — and with the guidance of a trained hypnotist — to change your thinking pattern to better manage your health issue. Hypnotherapy isn’t for everyone, but it might be helpful for you. It can be a powerful and successful add-on tool to other more traditional forms of mental health or medical therapy. If you’re interested, be sure to ask your healthcare provider about hypnosis and for a hypnotist referral, if they don’t provide this treatment tool.