• Going into a state of hypnosis is a very normal natural activity.
• Hypnosis is a restful state where you are still aware, in control, but very relaxed, much like the twilight time just before sleep.
• A person hypnotized is aware of everything the hypnotist says at all times.
• Persons under hypnosis will always awaken easily from hypnosis.
• During hypnosis, you will remain in control of yourself at all times.
• No person can be hypnotized without their consent, cooperation and willingness.
• No one can be made to do anything they are morally opposed to during hypnosis (in fact most people appear more ethical during hypnosis).
• Hypnosis enables your mind to access and use your own natural healing and physical abilities, to assist in healing or physical accomplishment.
• Hypnosis allows your subconscious mind to accept positive suggestions.
• Hypnotic suggestions can change or release unwanted behavior patterns.
• Hypnosis can strengthen any part of your personality or ability that you desire.
• Hypnosis actually strengthens the willpower and improves the powers of the mind.
• In hypnosis a subject can stimulate or increase healing ability.
• Hypnosis can help release unwanted patterns like post traumatic stress reactions.
• Hypnosis can permanently change habit patterns (ie: remove bad habits).
• Hypnosis can create or increase positive moods or feelings (joy, enthusiasm, etc.).
• Hypnosis can release causes for fears or phobias, then permanently release them.
• In hypnosis a subject can modify or change their emotional state or feelings.
• Hypnosis is safe, fast, and very effective!
  

• You completely loose control under hypnosis.  (false)
• You will loose your will power under hypnosis. (false)
• You can remain hypnotized forever.           (false)
• Hypnosis is only a placebo effect.                     (false)
  
• The devil could take over while you're under hypnosis.                                           (completely false.)

Hypnotism Gaining A Legitimate Role

in Health Care Treatments

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Mayo Clinic

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Hypnotism has expanded its realm from magic shows to health care. As a potential component of care, hypnotism is gaining legitimacy for a number of conditions, particularly for managing pain, according to the April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Exactly how hypnosis works is not clear, but it's generally considered an altered state of consciousness — or trance — in which a person has focused attention and a heightened ability to respond to helpful suggestions.

A trance often can be induced most quickly in people who are in severe pain. A therapist may suggest that the pain will fade or that an area of pain will become numb. In some cases, hypnosis works as well or better than pain-relieving medications.

Hypnosis has been shown to help relieve severe, acute pain associated with childbirth, burns, surgical procedures or dental pain. It can be especially helpful for people who can't take pain medications or for whom medications aren't effective. Hypnosis can also be a component of therapy for other wide-ranging medical conditions, including reducing anxiety before surgery, symptoms of skin inflammation (dermatitis), and asthma symptoms, as well as to aid in smoking cessation.

Hypnosis is generally considered safe, but it only works in patients who are compliant. In other words, hypnosis can't make people act against their own wills. Psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care providers with training in hypnosis can offer medical hypnotism. It's important to verify that the therapist has experience in treating the medical condition, too.

If you've ever seen hypnotism used as entertainment in a stage act, you've probably witnessed several of the myths about hypnosis in action. Legitimate clinical hypnotherapy practiced by a qualified professional is not the same process as that performed on stage.

Myth: When you're under hypnosis, you surrender your free will.
Reality: Hypnosis is a heightened state of concentration and focused attention. When you're under hypnosis, you don't lose your personality, your free will or your personal strength.

Myth: When you're under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist controls you.
Reality: You do hypnosis voluntarily for yourself. A hypnotherapist only serves as a knowledgeable guide or facilitator.

Myth: Under hypnosis, you lose consciousness and have amnesia.
Reality: A small number of people who go into a very deep hypnotic state experience amnesia. However, most people remember everything that occurred under hypnosis.

Myth: You can be put under hypnosis without your consent.
Reality: Successful hypnosis depends on your willingness to experience it. Even with voluntary participation, not everyone can be led into a hypnotic state.