For more than 200 years, people have been pondering and arguing over hypnosis. Does it work, is it safe, will I embarass myself by saying or doing something I don’t want to…..the list of questions and beliefs is endless. Briefly, let me try to explain what hypnosis does.
Hypnosis is a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination. It’s not really like sleep, because the person is alert the whole time. It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of “losing yourself” in a book or movie. You are fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you. You focus intently on the subject at hand, to the near exclusion of any other thought.
In the everyday trance of a daydream or movie, an imaginary world seems somewhat real to you, in the sense that it fully engages your emotions. Imaginary events can cause real fear, sadness or happiness, and you may even jolt in your seat if you are surprised by something (a doorbell ringing when you are absorbed in your daydream, for example).
Hypnosis is the trance state brought on by intentional relaxation and focusing exercises. This deep hypnosis is often compared to the relaxed mental state between wakefulness and sleep.
In this special mental state, people feel comfortable and relaxed as they tune out the worries and doubts that normally keep their actions in check. You might experience the same feeling while watching a movie: As you get engrossed in the plot, worries about your job, family, etc. fade away, until all you’re thinking about is what’s up on the screen.
In this state, you are also highly suggestible. That is, when the hypnotist tells you do something, you’ll probably embrace the idea completely, however, your sense of safety and morality remain entrenched throughout the experience and a hypnotist can not get you to do anything you don’t want to do. You are in control at all times and, in fact, if a suggestion is made that is out of your comfort zone you will immediately ‘awaken’.
Hypnosis is perfectly safe when practiced by a professional who is properly trained in the use of hypnosis and hypnosis techniques.