There are so many interesting facts about hypnosis that are not widely discussed.
Today, I would like to offer you an insight into this fantastic tool.
As a hypnotherapist, you might think that I am biased, but I have been practicing and studying hypnosis for over 18 years, and I would like to share some information.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a difficult tool to define. However, most hypnotherapists agree that it involves focused attention, suggestibility, visualisation, and imagination.
The most recently advanced definition was approved by the executive committee in 2014
and contains the following elements (see Elkins, Barabasz, Council, & Spiegel, 2015):
Hypnosis: “A state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral
awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion”.
Although hypnosis is portrayed as a watch dangling exercise, current day techniques for helping someone into a hypnotic trance rarely involve watches.
Read more about hypnosis from the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council hypnotherapy leaflet.
When was it first discovered?
Ancient peoples have identified hypnosis for centuries. Because it couldn’t be explained, it was associated with sorcery and magic.
However, eighteenth-century science began exploring hypnosis, and then it also got its name.
The most famous person who explored hypnosis was Franz Anton Mesmer.
Facts about Hypnosis
There are many interesting things about hypnosis; as science understands more, more facts will emerge. But here are some facts about hypnosis.
1. You do not go to sleep during hypnosis.
When people enter that state of hypnosis, they are not asleep, although if they get very relaxed and need sleep, they might fall asleep.
Through neuroscience studies, we now know that some brain areas have reduced brain activity while others increase activity.
2. Hypnosis can change brain activity in measurable ways
Some people find it challenging to understand hypnosis. They think it’s just tricks with the mind, similar to magic.
But that is not true.
Neuroscientists, using fMRI scans, PET scans and electroencephalography (EEG), can see measurable changes in brain activity in people who are hypnotised.
The areas of the brain that change particularly are those related to attention, control, focus, suggestibility, and perception.
Decreasing activity areas relate to self-reflection and decision-making.
The Stroop Test
The Stroop test is a psychological test that was written up by John Ridley Stroop in 1935.
It assesses cognitive control, selective attention, and mental flexibility. It involves naming the colour of a word rather than reading the word itself. For example, if the word “BLUE” is written in red ink, the participant must say “red” instead of reading “blue.”
The test measures the Stroop Effect, where interference occurs because reading is an automatic process, while color naming requires controlled attention.
In other words, it’s a mismatch between what is seen and what is said.
Hypnosis reduces that cognitive interference and improves selection.
Studies have shown that hypnotised people make better decisions under hypnosis.
3. Medical organisations have recognised hypnotherapy since the 1950s.
The British Medical Association endorsed hypnosis in 1955, followed by the American Medical Association in 1958.
Later, the psychological organisations endorsed hypnosis—for example, the British Psychological Society.
Hypnosis is now widely used in pain management, surgery, psychotherapy, and stress reduction (BMA Report, 1955).
4. Hypnosis can enhance sports performance.
Many professional sportspeople use hypnosis to build confidence, stay focused, and perform at their best.
I have helped golfers, darts players, gymnasts, and runners get into a positive zone and teach them self-hypnosis.
Did you know that Olympic players and teams use hypnosis?
Individual sportspeople who have used hypnosis include:
- Stephen Bunting, a professional darts player.
- Tiger Woods, a professional golfer.
- Jimmy Connors, a profesional tennis player.
- Mike Tyson, a boxer.
5. Hypnosis can reduce pain to a level where surgery is possible without anaesthesia.
Dr. James Esdaile, a Scottish surgeon in the 19th century, performed over 300 major surgeries using only hypnosis as anesthesia.
6. Not everyone can be hypnotised to the same level.
Many tests have been devised in research and clinical areas to assess hypnotisability.
From my experience, I have noted that most clinical hypnotherapists do not test levels of hypnotisability.
About 15% of the population is very hypnotisable.
About 15% of the population is not very hypnotizable, while everyone else is in the middle range.
However, most people benefit from hypnotherapy at the level that is right for them.
Inducing hypnotic analgesia and some hypnotic phenomena requires a deeper level of trance.
7. Hypnosis can improve memory and learning.
Although we can’t make people learn more than they have studied, hypnosis helps people to remove the barriers to learning and remembering.
For example, I see clients with worries about exams. They are stressed, so they can’t think properly and often feel overwhelmed.
They are tense, so their bodies don’t get enough rest, and there can be headaches, aches, and pains.
Hypnosis can provide relaxation and offer positive suggestions and visualisations to help people with memory recall and become successful.
Sometimes, if there is a trauma or mental block, that can also be helped.
8. Hypnosis can boost the immune system and improve healing.
Numerous other studies show that hypnosis helps with healing after surgery.
I have helped clients who are worried about surgery and want to ensure they are prepared.
9. It is possible to hypnotise oneself.
Self-hypnosis can help individuals take control of their lives and make improvements.
There are many ways to self-hypnotise, and the process needs lots of practice.
I usually teach my clients self-hypnosis.
Finally,
If you want to learn more about hypnotherapy, please contact me and schedule a free initial consultation.
