How does hypnosis work

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is an interaction between a hypnotist and the subject of hypnosis in which hypnotists influence the subject’s feelings, perceptions, thinking, and behavior. Hypnotists use verbal suggestions to ask the subject to focus on thoughts and images that may evoke certain desired responses. However, in some cases hypnotist may conduct the hypnosis on himself and this activity is known as self hypnosis.

Hypnotic suggestions

During the session, hypnotist will use different hypnotic suggestions:Ideomotor suggestions point out to simple movement of the parts of the body. Hypnotist may, for example suggests the subject to raise the hand or lift the legs. Suggestions of perceptual experiences affect a subject’s visual or auditory sensory systems. For example, hypnotist may say “Imagine you are on the beach”. Suggestions of complex experiences include suggestions that may help reveal early memory or projected ideas of the future events. Hypnotist may use suggestions like “You are now six years old” or “You’re in the mid forties”. Post hypnotic suggestions take place only if the subject already went through all of the listed stages of suggestions. How does it work?

Every hypnotic session starts with an induction that consists of a number of suggestions conducted to direct the subject towards relaxed state in which it becomes rapt in inner feelings, thoughts and experiences. Hypnotist will continue giving the suggestions until the subject falls into so called “hypnotic trance” or the special alerted state of consciousness. Subjects are now fully absorbed in suggested ideas and images but they maintain alertness for the reality and they act in response to it adequately. Furthermore, subjects are capable to recall most of the details from the session, once when it is over. Subject may just act in accordance with the hypnotist’s instructions. Hypnotist can’t make a subject to commit acts against its will.

Benefits of hypnosis

Hypnosis is quite efficient in managing addictions to certain habits, such as smoking for example. It is also proven that hypnotic treatments have the ability to shorten the period of wound healing processes on broken bones or surgical wounds. A study conducted at Harvard Medical School found strong evidence to this theory.

Hypnosis is often used to reduce snoring. Hypnotherapists work on this case by suggesting the patient to turn his head every time he or, she begins to snore. It is successfully used in anxiety reduction treatments, for weight loss by using affirmations and developing positive attitude, confidence and performance. In general, hypnosis is a great method to accomplish big changes and live a much better life.