•  What is Hypnosis?
  
  
• Feelings during Hypnosis?
  
  
• Who controls Whom?
  
  
• How does Hypnosis work?
  
  
• What can Hypnosis do?
  
  
• Where is Hypnosis used?
  
  
• What is Stage Hypnosis?
  
  
• What is Clinical Hypnosis?
  
  
• What is Self Hypnosis?
  
  
• Is hypnosis dangerous?
  
  
• Who is Hypnotizable?
  
  
• Is Hypnosis Effective for a certain age?
  
  
• Myths about Hypnosis
  
  
• Is Hypnosis Medically Approved?

• An old Phenomenon
  
  Hypnosis is quite old phenomenon used in different cultures by saints and healers. But the concept of modern psychological hypnosis was first developed in 1843 by James Braid, a Scottish physician. Prior to that Dr.  Anton Mesmer of Austria also used an earlier form of trance for healing called 'Mesmerism', in eighteenth century.
  
  
• Natural State
  
  The word hypnosis is derived from the Greek word hypnos, meaning sleep. Hence, sometimes it is defined as a means of bringing on an artificial state of sleep to the participant. In fact it is a state of reduced consciousness while one is awake. During hypnosis, the body and conscious mind remain in a very relaxed, neutral state while the subconscious mind becomes alert and receptive to suggestions. Sometimes the person under hypnosis appears to be sleeping. But it is not sleep at all. It is actually a natural state of mind induced normally in everyday living much more often than it is induced artificially.
  
• Changes during Hypnosis
  
  Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention in which measurable psychological and physical changes take place, and, sensory capacities of the person increase. During hypnosis the brain waves slow down from BETA into ALPHA and even enter THETA during deep trance states. It provides opportunity to the subconscious mind to communicate with conscious mind. The inner potentials of the person become accessible, and they are used to bring about change joyfully through guided imagery and positive suggestions. It is used as an education communication process to the mind.
  
• An Altered State of Mind
  
  As per Dr. Milton Erickson, "Hypnosis is a particular altered state of selective suggestibility brought about in an individual by the use of a combination of relaxation, fixation of attention, and suggestion."
  
• Magical Results, not Magic
  
  Hypnosis is not magic, but it can be quite powerful, and the results are often amazing.

• Pleasant and Relaxed
  
  Usually people under hypnosis report pleasant feelings of mental and physical relaxation, similar to those moments before we fall asleep at night. One may feel quite mellow, and may feel light (or weightless), or very heavy as if sinking into the chair. Sometimes under deep state, the feeling may be euphoric for someone, or like being intoxicated without the side effects.
  
  Deep hypnosis is similar in many ways to the kind of profound trance found in yoga or meditation. Certain abilities are enhanced during the hypnotic trance such as, ability to imagine, ability to remember, responsiveness to suggestions, creativity, etc.
  
  
• Calm and Drifting
  
  The person gets rid of the cares and concerns of the day and feel calm and peaceful, as tense muscles relax and other positive physiological changes take place. The ECG results indicate that the brain of the person in hypnosis functions between being awake and being asleep. Hypnosis is more of a drifting state. The person can hear, feel, see and talk unless suggested contrary. The amnesia phenomenon in hypnotherapy is done only for the benefit and well being of the client, that too, upon completing a special form of amnesia procedure.

• Awareness Enhances
  
  This is actually a myth that the person loses control in hypnotic trance. While under hypnosis the person has greater awareness and retains all the power to select what to say or to do. The person won't do anything in a hypnotic state that is not acceptable in normal awake state.
  
• Adheres to Values and Beliefs
  
  The hypnotized person will not follow a suggestion in contradiction to the core values and beliefs. The person must agree to anything that is suggested in order for that thing to become true. The hypnotist controls and directs the process only.

• Act at Subconscious
  
  Every human being has latent talent to reprogram emotions, attitudes and reactions. Hypnosis is used to train life-long attitudes that the conscious mind is unable to change. Hypnotic suggestions focus on the subconscious part of the mind that accepts them as a new reality as long as the suggestions are framed within the person's belief system, ethical and moral standards.
  
  
• Access Subconscious thru Conscious Mind
  
  During the hypnotic trance the conscious mind leaves a doorway to the sub-consciousness, which allows it to consider and accept new neurological connections, patterns of behavior and thought by using hypnotic suggestions and guided imagery. Trance in hypnosis denotes deeply relaxed state of body and mind.
  
  
• Use Educative/Therapeutic Processes
  
  In a therapeutic hypnosis trance, it is easier to work on issues that are not controlled by the conscious mind. For example, pain control is not done consciously. You cannot possibly tell your body to stop the pain. However, with the hypnotic trance and some specific and proven suggestions, you can. 

• Mind a Creator and a Healer
  
  Hypnosis can help with anything in which mind has an influence assuming that mind has power and ability to heal whatever it creates. It is now universally accepted that most of the diseases and behavioral disorders are psychosomatic in nature. Hypnosis unites body, mind and spirit to make effective results.
   
• Wide Scope
  
  Hypnosis is used effectively across the globe to induce desired positive changes in human behavior, such as, self-development, entertainment (demonstration/ stage shows), behavior correction and clinical purposes covering large number of issues, namely, Habit correction (study habit, nail biting, thumb sucking, bed wetting, smoking), Physical & Mental Health (weight control, mental hygiene, aggression management), Performance Enhancement (sports, stage, studies, sales), Anxiety Management, Confidence building, Foreign Energy Management, Regression, Marital Issues (Interpersonal relationship, Adjustment issues, Sexual dysfunction, Frigidity), Pain management, Obsessive Compulsive behavior, Depression, Clinical healing, Respiratory congestion, Phobias, Amnesia, Insomnia, etc…
  
  
• Positive Developments
  
  Hypnosis creates a sense of harmony and phenomenal peace within the individual so that the current challenge or goal can be met and dealt with in a positive manner.
  
  
• Entertainment & Clinical Purposes
  
  Hypnosis as usually depicted in stories, movies and TV serials, usually attract attention as a stage show activity. No doubt, people use it for entertainment but its scope is very large. During the last a few decades hypnosis has started winning the deserved respect with the medical profession, especially due to its proven role in healing the body and mind. Many hospitals and medical practitioners use hypnosis for anesthesia for certain cases.  It has proved of value within surgery, and in the wider sphere of pain management and in the areas of both sporting and artistic performance enhancement.
  
  
• Potential Exploration
  
  Hypnosis is used for unconscious exploration as well, to better understand underlying motivations or identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem.
   
• Age Regression and Past Life Regression
  
  Age regression is done to find traces/roots of a certain behavior in the present life while past life regression is done to help subjects overcome localized pain, phobia and other issues not having any reason in the present life. It is highly effectively irrespective of the belief in incarnation.
  


• Spirituality
  
  Hypnosis has proved its spiritual utility as well. People use it to take information from their spirit guides, masters, angels and also to manage foreign energies (spirit release) effectively

• Hypnosis a Common Thread in many Therapies
  
  Hypnosis is used almost in all of the therapies in one form or the other. However, Hypnocounseling, Hypnotherapy, Past Life Regression Therapy, Inter-life Therapy (Life between Lives Therapy), Foreign Energy Healing (Spirit Release), Spiritual Healing, Dowsing, Radical Healing, Stage Shows, Self Hypnosis, Hypnoanesthesia and Hypnobirthing are among numerous means of using Hypnosis for different purposes.

• Entertainment of the Audience
  
  Stage Hypnosis is the part of entertainment business. In fact, most people know hypnosis because of stage hypnosis only. Some people consider it magic only because of stage hypnosis shows. The hypnotist invites volunteers willing to have fun and enjoy being in the limelight. They are directed to say and do things, in hypnosis, which appear funny and entertaining to the audience. In the process they do enjoy the chance to be part of the entertainment.
  
  
• Satisfaction to the Volunteers
  
  Stage hypnosis provides opportunity to the willing participants to relax and act as per instructions/suggestions given to them. They perform different activities, such as, jump like monkey, crawl like snake and bark like a dog only because they want to be a part of the show and to entertain the audience. The purpose is entertainment for the participants and audience.
  
  
• Income Generation for the Hypnotist
  

Stage hypnosis is a good income generation activity for the hypnotist but it produces effects that are possible for everyone to experience. Some stage hypnotists do good work but others generate misconceptions about the nature of hypnotic trance, which may lead to unfounded fears about hypnosis.

• Therapeutic Activity
  
  Clinical hypnosis is practiced in one-to-one seating in a clinical setting, such as, an office, a hospital, a clinic or a home. It is the serious use of the science of hypnosis for enhancement of the quality of life of the people.
  
  
• Hypnocounseling and hypnotherapy
  
  All the techniques used for clinical purposes are covered under a broad title of Hypnotherapy. Some people call it Hypnocounseling as well. Even a group of people categorizes both of them as two different techniques because of the use of two different words having their unique concepts. But there is big overlapping in both of the concepts because counseling involves therapeutic value and therapy involves counseling element as well. In our context we shall use both of the terms as inter-changeable denoting the same concept.
  
  
• Different Therapeutic Processes
  

Hypnotherapy is the application of hypnosis for clinical purposes. The technique makes use of hypnosis to relaxing the client's conscious mind and bringing the subconscious mind at the forefront. Different therapeutic processes are followed for the healing purpose under the hypnotic trance. In most cases, the client is helped to establishing new positive behaviors, releasing undesirable behaviors and gaining new insights.


• Complementary to other Medical Systems


Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach to other medical systems where a hypnotherapist facilitates the hypnotic process more like a guide. All hypnotherapy processes use hypnosis but not all hypnosis is hypnotherapy. Mastering the art of hypnosis does not necessarily mean mastering hypnotherapy.


• Positive Approach
  
  In the hypnotherapy session, the client is guided into trance and suggestions are given for specific desired outcome using different therapeutic methods. In clinical hypnosis the clients are never asked to do anything embarrassing or against their will.
  

• Self-Guided Process
  
  Self hypnosis is the process of guiding oneself into the hypnotic trance without the facilitation of any other hypnotist. Actually hypnosis happens only when the individual allows oneself to become relaxed while receiving the desired suggestions. When a person receives positive suggestions, it is because the individual allows the suggestions to be received. The hypnotist uses various techniques to permit the person to relax and to explore subconscious mind to program for beneficial change and improvement in different aspects of life. Each client is always taught self-hypnosis to use on a fixed periodicity basis for sustainable changes and developments. 

• No Direct or Indirect Side-Effects
  

Hypnosis does not have any side-effect or any other kind of direct or indirect danger for the client. However, like any other disciplines, personal disappointments may arise because of unrealistic expectations or preconceived notions. The technique as such has not been reported causing any harm to any one so far. Like any other knowledge or skill, the unwise use of hypnosis may not be as effective as desired. Hypnosis is safe, harmless and very effective. The hypnotherapists focus on the results and not problem.

Who is Hypnotizable?

• Willingness is Key
  
  Any person can be hypnotized if the person is willing to be hypnotized and does not have any mental disorder. But some people may take a little longer than others. The depth of hypnosis depends upon the person's ability to respond. Hypnosis can even enhance receptivity to hypnosis of the person with practice. It is a wrong notion that the people with weak will power respond easily to hypnosis. In fact contrary is true. The fact is that the person should be willing to go for it. Any one who relax and follow simple instructions can experience hypnotic trance.

• Works at all Age Categories
  
  Age is not a barrier for hypnosis. The client of any age group can be hypnotized effectively, the only requirement is that the client should be able to understand what is said and also follow directions accordingly. The children tend to be more open to hypnosis. There are certain hypnotic techniques for certain age groups.

• People Lose Control and Surrender their Will.
  Not at all, it is just like a dreamy state with a purpose while the person is awake. Hypnosis is not something imposed on people, but something they do for themselves.
  
• Hypnosis is just for Entertainment.
  
  Entertainment is just a fraction of uses of hypnosis. It has more serious clinical and counseling implications. Even stage hypnosis also serves some therapeutic purposes.
  
  
• People Forget Everything.
  
  It is untrue that people have amnesia after the hypnotic trance. Majority of people remember most of the things done in hypnosis. Some forgetting is possible depending upon the depth of the trance. However, the hypnotist may also suggest to forgetting a few unnecessary things as a part of therapy.  
  
  
• Person may Remain in Hypnosis for Ever.
  
  No body can struck in hypnosis. In case a person is left in a trance, then the person shall either develop natural sleep and wake up after a while or come out of the trance automatically after a few minutes.
  
  
• Hypnotist can make you do any Undesirable Behavior
  
  It is incorrect because the hypnotist is not a master, but a guide or facilitator, and does not have any special powers or magic to force the client for any activity against her/his will.
  
  
• Anyone can be Hypnotized Any Time.
  
  No, only the person willing to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. The people with certain mental or neurological conditions cannot be hypnotized. However, most people can be hypnotized if they want to be.
  
  
• Only Weak-Minded People can be Hypnotized.
  
  This is willingness that matters and not weak-mindedness or strong-mindedness for hypnosis.
  
  
• Results are Temporary.
  
  Some people think that the affectivity of hypnosis ends with the termination of hypnotic trance. It is false, rather particular mental orientation is developed and follow up acts are suggested to make the results sustainable.  A survey of psychotherapy literature by noted psychologist Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. revealed the following recovery rates:

Psychoanalysis     : 38% recovery after 600 sessions.
Behavior Therapy : 72% recovery after 22 sessions.
Hypnotherapy       : 93% recovery after 6 sessions.

Source: American Health Magazine

• Deep Trance is Necessary for the Desired Results.
  
  Interesting depth of trance does not matter too much for the results. However, in certain cases deep trance may be required.
  
  
• Hypnosis can Heal Everything.
  
  No doubt, hypnosis has quite wide area of operation but it is not a panacea to all diseases and problems. Hypnosis is a powerful, natural tool to help improve quality of life in many ways but within its limitations. It supplements most of other systems of medication and therapy.
  
  
• Hypnosis involves Risk.
  
  Hypnosis is safe and natural. It does not have any direct or indirect risk or side effects.
  
  
• Hypnosis is Magic.

Hypnosis is highly scientific. However, its fast results sometimes make people consider it as a magic. In any case it is not at all a magic.


• Only Certain Types of People can Learn Hypnosis.
  
  Any person with average mental abilities can learn and use hypnosis if the person has interest for it. It is a scientific skill that improves with practice. In fact practice sharpens all types of skills.   

Chronological development:

• 1892: British Medical Association endorsed the therapeutic use of hypnosis.
  
• 1952: British Hypnotism Act was instituted to regulate stage hypnotists' public
             entertainments.
  
• 1955: The British Medical Association (BMA) approved the use of hypnosis in
              the areas of psychoneuroses and hypnoanesthesia in pain             management in childbirth and surgery.
  
• 1956: Pope Pius XII gave his approval of hypnosis for diagnose and             treatment.
  
• 1958:  The American Medical Association approved the medical uses of             hypnosis.
  
• 1960: American Psychological Association endorsed hypnosis as a branch of             psychology.
  
• 2003: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, vide its             letter No. R.14015/25/96-U&H (R) (Pt.) dated November 25, 2003             recognized hypnotherapy as a mode of therapy in India to be practiced             by only appropriately trained personnel.
  
• Code for Commercial Advertisement on Doordarshan and All India Radio states that “No advertisement should contain any offer to diagnose or treat complaints or conditions by hypnosis”.