Hypnosis helps reduce pain and alleviate phobias, though it doesn’t work for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore what hypnosis is and who might benefit from it. You will also learn about types of hypnosis and its side effects.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which the individual being hypnotized finds themselves on a fine line between wakefulness and sleep. This state is also known as a trance.
In this state, a person’s attention becomes highly focused. They temporarily disregard their surroundings and some physical processes in their body. The hypnotist’s goal is to direct this focused attention towards specific information. In trance, individuals may experience reduced distraction and heightened suggestibility. They perceive the new provided information as fact and sincerely believe in it. This process is known as suggestion.
Why are some people hypnotizable and others are not?
Scientists have long been researching the brain’s response during hypnosis sessions, but complete clarity has not yet been achieved. We have only fragmentary data.
We know that during hypnosis, activity in the anterior part of the cerebral cortex decreases, and that allows a person to focus on a single thought. Secondly, the brain gains increased control over physiological processes. For example, the suggestion “Nothing hurts me” can really decrease physical pain. Thirdly, under hypnosis, individuals may perform actions suggested by the hypnotist but they do not realize it.
Interestingly, not everyone experiences these brain changes, and if they do, the effects vary. Only about 10% of people are easily hypnotized. It is more difficult for others to enter a trance state. Some individuals’ brains do not react to hypnotic influence at all.
The reasons for these differences are not entirely clear. Nevertheless, hypnotherapy is a popular method of psychotherapy. It helps patients relax and solve their specific problems.
How is hypnosis used?
Hypnosis is not used as the primary method of treatment; rather, it serves as an adjunctive procedure. Sessions should be conducted by certified specialists, such as psychologists or psychotherapists, who have received proper training.
When all conditions are met, hypnotherapy can be beneficial for ipeople with hypnotic suggestibility. For instance, suggestion can alleviate suffering from constant headaches, migraines, toothaches, irritable bowel syndrome, burns, childbirth, and cancer when standard painkillers are ineffective. Hypnotherapy is also successful in treating insomnia, bedwetting, smoking cessation, and eating disorders loke anorexia and bulimia.
What happens during a hypnosis session?
Treatment occurs over several sessions. The preparatory part lasts one session and provides the person with their first experience of trance. Only after this should the patient decide they want to continue the treatment.
Hypnosis sessions can take place in any comfortable position for the patient. People may sit or lie down. The psychotherapist employs one of several techniques. Some common hypnosis techniques include:
- Hypnotizing with a glance: This technique induces relaxation and is often used alongside other methods.
- Suggestion using words: The psychotherapist induces relaxation and then repeats specific suggestions.
- Levitation method: A form of self-hypnosis where the individual uses their imagination to experience lightness and alleviate difficult thoughts.
- Directive hypnosis: The therapist instills specific attitudes or commands into the deeply hypnotized individual, such as abstaining from alcohol or overcoming a phobia.
- Ericksonian hypnosis: This approach aims to identify and address the root cause of the problem. It empowers the individual to select a solution and accept it as a guide to action.
However, hypnotherapy has a significant limitation: it does not permanently eliminate worries or bad habits. The effects of hypnosis diminish over time, requiring periodic sessions for maintenance
What are the side effects of hypnosis?
Hypnotherapy is considered absolutely safe when performed by a qualified psychotherapist or psychologist. However, this method may not be suitable for people with severe mental illness, hallucinations, delusions, alcohol or drug addiction.
Side effects are rare, but it is better to know about them in advance. Here’s what you might feel after leaving a therapist:
- headache and dizziness;
- drowsiness;
- anxiety or fatigue.
Another potential consequence of hypnosis is the formation of false memories. Memory may fail, particularly when individuals undergo hypnotherapy to address stressful events from early childhood. It’s essential to consider this possibility if you wish to avoid erasing real memories and replacing them with fantasies.
