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Is Hypnosis Real? And 9 Other Questions, Answered

Is hypnosis real?

Hypnosis is a genuine psychological therapy process. It’s often misunderstood and not widely used. However, medical research continues to clarify how and when hypnosis can be used as a therapy tool.

What exactly is hypnosis? 

Hypnosis is a treatment option that may help you cope with and treat different conditions.

To do this, a certified hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides you into a deep state of relaxation (sometimes described as a trance-like state). While you’re in this state, they can make suggestions designed to help you become more open to change or therapeutic improvement.

Trance-like experiences aren’t all that uncommon. If you’ve ever zoned out while watching a movie or daydreaming, you’ve been in a similar trance-like state.

True hypnosis or hypnotherapy doesn’t involve swaying pocket watches, and it isn’t practiced on stage as part of an entertainment act.

Is hypnosis the same thing as hypnotherapy?

Yes and no. Hypnosis is a tool that can be used for therapeutic treatment. Hypnotherapy is the use of that tool. To put it another way, hypnosis is to hypnotherapy what dogs are to animal therapy.

How does hypnosis work?

During hypnosis, a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist induces a state of intense concentration or focused attention. This is a guided process with verbal cues and repetition.

The trance-like state you enter may appear similar to sleep in many ways, but you’re fully aware of what’s going on.

While you’re in this trance-like state, your therapist will make guided suggestions designed to help you achieve your therapeutic goals.

Because you’re in a heightened state of focus, you may be more open to proposals or advice that, in your normal mental state, you might ignore or brush off.

When the session is complete, your therapist will wake you from the trance-like state, or you will exit it on your own.

It’s unclear how this intense level of inner concentration and focused attention has the impact it does.

  • Hypnotherapy may place the seeds of different thoughts in your mind during the trance-like state, and soon, those changes take root and prosper.
  • Hypnotherapy may also clear the way for deeper processing and acceptance. In your regular mental state, if it’s “cluttered,” your mind may be unable to absorb suggestions and guidance,

What happens to the brain during hypnosis?

Researchers at Harvard studied the brains of 57 people during guided hypnosis. They found that:

  • Two areas of the brain that are responsible for processing and controlling what’s going on in your body show greater activity during hypnosis.
  • Likewise, the area of your brain that’s responsible for your actions and the area that is aware of those actions appear to be disconnected during hypnosis.

Are there any side effects or risks?

Hypnosis rarely causes any side effects or has risks. As long as the therapy is conducted by a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist, it can be a safe alternative therapy option.

Is the practice recommended by doctors?

Some doctors aren’t convinced that hypnosis can be used in mental health or for physical pain treatment. Research to support the use of hypnosis is getting stronger, but not all doctors embrace it.

Many medical schools don’t train doctors on the use of hypnosis, and not all mental health practitioners receive training during their years of school.

That leaves a great deal of misunderstanding about this possible therapy among healthcare professionals.

What can hypnosis be used for?

Hypnosis is promoted as a treatment for many conditions or issues. Research does provide some support for using hypnosis for some, but not all, of the conditions for which it’s used.

ResearchTrusted Source shows strong evidenceTrusted Source for the use of hypnosis to treat:

  • pain
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • post-traumatic stress disorder
  • insomnia
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • smoking cessation
  • post-surgical wound healing
  • weight loss

What happens during a session?

You may not undergo hypnosis during your first visit with a hypnotist or hypnotherapist. Instead, the two of you may talk about the goals you have and the process they can use to help you.

In a hypnosis session, your therapist will help you relax in a comfortable setting. They’ll explain the process and review your goals for the session. Then, they’ll use repetitive verbal cues to guide you into a trance-like state.

Once you’re in a receptive trance-like state, your therapist will suggest you work to achieve certain goals, help you visualize your future, and guide you toward making healthier decisions.

Afterward, your therapist will end your trance-like state by bringing you back to full consciousness.

Is one session enough?

Although one session can be helpful for some people sometimes different people with more complex issues might need more sessions to address the root of the problem.

To book your session or find out more just contact me!

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