Hypnosis has been known to help people stop smoking, lose weight and overcome fears but how does hypnosis really work? Most people think hypnosis is mysterious because of what they may have seen on TV or in a stage show. Those forms of entertainment are funny and interesting to watch, but hypnosis is much more than that. Hypnosis, at its simplest, is a way to access and program the inner mind, also known as the unconscious mind. This part of the mind is responsible for our automatic responses and habits. With access to the inner mind, a seasoned hypnosis practitioner can program the mind to be free of unhealthy addictions, phobias, and the effects of negative experiences from the past.
How are you guided into hypnosis?
Clients are guided into hypnosis by simply following the instructions of the hypnotist. The practitioner will typically use some combination of relaxation techniques, guided imagery, confusion, storytelling, and misdirection to guide the patient into hypnotic trance. After being guided into trance, the hypnotherapist will be able to give directions, more commonly known as suggestions, to the unconscious mind of the client. These suggestions will vary based on the challenge of the patient.
Common Concerns about Hypnosis
Some people have a fear of hypnosis because of some commonly held misconceptions. Many of us like to be in control and there is an incorrect belief that people lose control and share secrets in hypnosis. The primary purpose of using hypnosis is to help patients “regain control” of their lives. When in a hypnotic trance you cannot be forced to share secrets or directed to do anything that is not in your best interest. The directions or suggestions given to a client must be in line with the changes they want to make.
Everyday trance experiences
Without realizing it, we all go in and out of trance every day. When we throw ourselves into a project and lose track of time, we are experiencing a hypnotic trance. We are so focused on the project that time flies by. Another example is when we watch a great movie or read a great book and get emotional while losing ourselves in the experience. We can get excited, scared, or sad. We are disconnecting from the outside world and we experience time distortion.
How will you know of you are in hypnosis?
The most common misconception is that hypnosis is sleep. While in hypnotic trance, clients are not asleep and can be aware of the room, including the temperature and any sounds. Hypnosis is a subjective experience which simply means that there is no one way to know, when you are in hypnosis. Some people don’t realize they are in hypnosis while others experience dramatic sensations that let them know they are in a trance state.
With that said, there are a number of common sensations that people experience while in hypnosis. They include, but are not limited to, an obvious heavy feeling in the body, numbness, tingling in the feet and/or hands, a floating feeling, time distortion, enhanced imagery in the mind’s eye, a sense of detachment, feeling immobile, enhanced memory capabilities, and feelings of peacefulness and calmness.
A patient who does not notice any of these signs will often exhibit some of the following physiological signs that the hypnotist will be aware of. They can include slowed breathing, fluttering eye lids, involuntary physical movements like twitching, slowed and/or quiet speech, excessive swallowing, and glassy eyes.
What happens once in hypnosis?
After being guided into a hypnotic trance, the hypnotist will give suggestions for positive change directly to the client’s unconscious mind. These suggestions can be both direct and indirect in nature, in the form of a story/metaphor. Tailored suggestions can help people with work related issues like motivation and confidence as well as relationship challenges like jealousy or moving on after a breakup.
There are many techniques that can be utilized by the practitioner including exploring a patient’s memory to find the cause or trigger of a challenge. Very often irrational fears and phobias stem from a traumatic past experience. These memories can be reframed so that the trigger and fear is eliminated.
Another common technique utilized by hypnosis experts is called future pacing. This simply means imagining or visualizing what your life will be like when you have moved beyond a challenge. This is a way of programming the inner mind so that it knows what the desired outcome is.
What happens after hypnosis?
After a client is guided out of a hypnotic trance, they usually report being very relaxed. This relaxation does not prevent them from driving a car or going back to work. They typically feel rested and recharged which helps them to do whatever needs to be done, more effectively.
What can you expect after hypnosis?
Unlike traditional therapy, clients can experience accelerated change. Every patient is unique, and the number of sessions will vary. Some can see improvement after the first session while most require multiple sessions before they experience relief/change. Hypnosis can be a profound vehicle for change, but it is important to be committed to the process.
Hypnosis is the practice of programming the part of the mind responsible for our automatic responses. Clients typically find that they automatically respond to stress, food, and fear in a healthy and calm way. They don’t try to eat healthy foods, rather they do it automatically without thinking about it. The fears, emotions, feelings, and experiences that used to trigger them are gone. They now can respond in a healthy and appropriate way to life’s stressors.
Whether you are looking to improve your golf game, overcome a fear of flying, or stop binge eating, hypnosis works because it can program your inner mind for the change you desire.