Hypnosis Facts and Fictions – Is hypnosis safe? This is a question with a great deal of controversy. The truth of the matter is that there are several factors to consider. However, when it is all said and done, you’re going to find that hypnosis is most certainly safe.
There are still several considerations that you should keep in mind. Never lose sight of the fact that hypnosis is the process by which a person is induced into a trance-like state. In other words, they are still awake, but at the same time, they are not.
If you are on the fence about hypnosis, the following answers may surprise you. In this article, we are going to expose some of the myths surrounding hypnosis by covering the most popular questions. Before deep-diving into the topic, first, we need to be clear about its safety.
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Is Hypnosis Safe?
One of the problems with hypnosis is that there are a lot of misconceptions out there on this subject. These misconceptions can prevent you from enjoying the benefits of hypnotism. We’ll get back to that in a moment.
One of the reasons why hypnosis is safe is because it is an entirely natural process. In other words, through hypnosis, you are going to be brought to a natural state of mind.
You are primarily being brought to a state in which all the static has been erased. Nothing remains but the particulars of your session. In establishing this state, we can become more susceptible to suggestion. At the same time, we can be given clear instructions that are easier to implement than they would be under normal circumstances.
We can also use hypnosis to return to an earlier state of being. Hypnosis can even help you to access memories that are buried deep within the subconscious.
What are the advantages of Hypnosis?
To answer the question, is hypnosis safe? We must look into the advantages and disadvantages. As is the case with anything else, you want to weigh up the pros and cons very carefully. With that thought in mind, consider the following advantages:
- It establishes a deep relaxation state: Sympathetic nervous system activity is significantly reduced. At the same time, you can also decrease your blood pressure, slow down the heart rate, and accelerate your healing process.
- It gives you control: As we mentioned before, hypnosis strips away the static, leaving you with a considerable element of control over your life, the body, all of your relationships, and even your surroundings.
- It is self-hypnosis: The vital thing to remember with hypnosis is that all hypnosis is technically self-hypnosis. This means that you are in control. You are always in control. You control the memories you access or the places your mind goes. You choose when to wake up.
Frequently asked questions
1: You stay completely awake during Hypnosis
Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis could be a state of mind. It is not a style of sleep. You’ll be ready to hear, comprehend, and later remember (unless it’s helpful to own a suggestion to forget certain aspects).
2: An average person experience forms of Hypnosis at least twice a day
Common examples include arriving at your destination without memory of driving there, zoning out while reading a page of a book, or becoming so engrossed within the TV that point just evaporates.
3: Hypnosis has been recognised since the 18th Century
Franz Mesmer is credited with bringing hypnosis to the eye of the public sometime around 1770.
4: Hypnosis can be used as an anaesthetic
Various studies have found that hypnosis will be an efficient tool for pain management. Studies done using EEG have shown that hypnosis removes the emotional experience of pain, while still allowing one to experience the sensory sensation. The touch will be felt, but the brain doesn’t recognize the particular feeling of discomfort. More and more women are even researching prenatal hypnosis training.
5: Stage Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnosis
When “hypnosis” is mentioned, most of the people tend to consider stage hypnosis. This is the famous show during which a hypnotist chooses seemingly random people to send them to sleep, and so makes them do hilarious (and reasonably mean) tricks for laughs. As entertaining as stage hypnosis could also be, it’s little to try to with clinical hypnosis. The latter is an accepted type of therapy that helps people overcome various ailments via a relaxed mind and strategic suggestion.
6: Hypnosis has a wide range of applications
These include getting over fears and phobias, weight loss, negative memories, insomnia, and quitting smoking to call some.
7: Hypnosis only brings about memory loss if that is the intended goal
Hypnosis is all about suggestion. If the purpose of undergoing hypnotherapy is to forget negative memories, that can be achieved. Forgetting memories is barely likely to happen if that’s the goal, and even those memories are often brought back with further suggestions.
8: Your brain works differently while under a Hypnotized state
Hypnosis allows the brain to bypass the conscious part of the mind. It ‘turns off’ the will to ask questions or note of the environment. Instead, the brain gains hyper-awareness, a state of being aware of your surroundings without consciously considering it.
9: Hypnosis feels different to different people
People who have undergone hypnosis report different feelings while “under.” Some describe their experience like falling asleep with the TV on, while others report feeling heavy. Others use words like “light” or “floating.” Since we all internalize experiences differently, it is sensible that the sensation of hypnosis is different for every person.
10: You can Hypnotize yourself
On television, there’s always a hypnotist, and someone is hypnotized, resulting in the common misconception that it takes two to tango with hypnotism. In reality, there’s such a thing as self-hypnosis, and it’s valid. Émile Coué, a French psychologist, developed the technique during which someone can suppress all mental resistance and enter into a hypnotic state.
Hypnosis Fiction
Some stereotyped and customary conceptions of hypnosis found in selected literary, fictional works are presented. Not only are many supernatural powers attributed to hypnosis, but the subject of hypnosis has served as an ideal literary vehicle for coping with the traditional philosophical problem of mind versus body. Other universal conflicts, like those between dominance and submission and also the hypnotist’s inevitable punishment for possessing extraordinary powers, are often encountered. These popular notions of hypnosis, depict both the hypnotist and hypnotic subject is extremely stereotyped roles. The hypnotist is usually viewed as an evil, demonic agent while the hypnotic subject functions as a naive and hapless victim.
Look Into My Eyes!
According to Hilgard’s ‘dissociation theory,’ people who were hypnotized experienced a split consciousness. One follows the hypnotist’s suggestions. The other-self, however, disassociates from the hypnotist and remains consciously aware.
There are many facts about hypnosis in the place of its fictions. So, we can say that hypnosis exists in real-life.
Is hypnosis safe? This is a question with a great deal of controversy. The truth of the matter is that there are several factors to consider. However, when it is all said and done, you’re going to find that hypnosis is most certainly safe.
I honestly think that stage hypnosis creates a bad image for hypnosis in general and that’s a shame. Hypnosis can be such a powerful weapon in fighting a lot of fears like fear of flying or fear of public speaking. But because they see all this goofiness on stages, people think hypnosis is not something serious. Leave it to (some) people to transform something so amazing as hypnosis into a circus. Anyway, there are people that understand the many benefits of hypnosis done right and the number of people who use it to improve their lives is growing.
I could see why some people might think hypnosis is dangerous given it’s uses in some movies, haha. I want to learn how to hypnotize myself to stop being negative.
Is hypnosis safe? I think it is WHEN done by someone who wants to help you and know what they are doing. When it’s done for the purpose of entertainment, I don’t know. What I do know is that it definitely works. I got rid of my fear of heights because of it. I used to be afraid to ride the elevator to higher floors. I used to fear even being close to a window if I was not on the first few floors. It was a nightmare.