What is hypnosis

The term hypnosis has been described by many as the method of control by suggestion. How this is accomplished is still under a great deal of debate. What is agreed is that it works. In the right hands the suggestion can be a very powerful treatment. In other hands it may become a form of stage entertainment.

The earliest definition of the word hypnosis was given by a man called James Braid, a Scottish medical surgeon. He described the term "neuro-hypnotism" which is the root of the words hypnosis and hypnotism. But the history of hypnosis goes back into the ages as far as our records and stories travel.

But what is hypnosis?

Well hypnosis is all about reaching a certain state of mind. Its been described by many as a kind of day dream state. The one that you could only attain as a child. One where your eyes are open but your mind is somewhere else. In this state of mind you are open and willing to suggestion. The word suggestion is used rather then instruction as a way of inferring that hypnosis is only effective is the person hypnotized is in fact willing. This is generally the case and suggestion is normally the basis of all hypnosis methods. It is down to the hypnotist to keep the suggestions within the bounds of that which the person is comfortable with. This can be seen frequently on stage hypnosis where the hypnotist plays with these boundaries for entertainment.

So we know its a state of mind. It is this state that allows the mind to be reprogrammed. This method of training the mind is very common in psychology. The latest psychological breakthroughs are centered on a developing method called "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" (CBT). This method is centered around changing and reprogramming the paths of standard thinking. By retraining the brain the treatment helps control such things as aggression and depression which are the two ends of the psychological spectrum. Hypnotherapy is a treatment of psychological disorders by hypnosis therapy.

What is a hypnotic trance?

Hypnosis is all about reaching a hypnotic trance. The state of mind where your sub-conscious is in control and your conscious mind is dormant. The hypnotist will guide the person into a hypnotic trance state. There are many methods but they all attempt to focus the mind on one single event. It could be a swinging pendulum, a swirling spiral or a description of a television in a dark room. The idea is to focus and remove all other distractions from the mind. The hypnotist might use similar methods to that used in meditation such as focusing on the breathing, muscle relaxation techniques and visualization. The aim is always to reach a comfortable physical state and the mind in a deep state of trance.

The stages of hypnosis

As mentioned earlier the mind must be calm and in a state of release. The first part of the hypnosis process is always designed to relax the subject. The second portion is designed to remove the train of thought the subject has. This can be difficult in times of stress where the subject is fixated on a subject that is worrying them. The fourth step is to move the subject into a deep trance state. The fifth is the process of reprogramming the mind with the suggestive words and reasoning. Final the subject is lifted back to the conscious mind and allowed to rest.

I hope this small introduction to hypnosis has been interesting.