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What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of selective attention, accompanied by relaxation of the critical function of the mind. It is an effective tool for utilizing the powerful resources of the subconscious mind for self-healing.
While in hypnosis you will usually remain aware of your surroundings and will probably remember most of what is said in a session.
Hypnosis is quite a normal and natural state. Most people have experienced it spontaneously. One common, everyday example of this is the half-awake state just before drifting off to sleep, or the half-asleep state just after awakening. We easily enter into and go out of these states when making the transition from sleep to wakefulness.
Other everyday examples of hypnotic states in daily life include:
Becoming absorbed reading an interesting book and forgetting about the room around you. Later, looking at a clock, you feel surprised that hours have gone by.
Arriving home after driving for hours, and realizing that you have no recollection of the drive, in spite of having successfully navigated your way by adjusting to the flow of traffic, turning, stopping, starting and other complex actions.
Gazing into the flames in a fireplace for a time, feeling comfortable, relaxed, finding your mind wandering.
Daydreaming or thinking about things far away from you at the moment. In this state, your surroundings easily can fade into the background.
While your attention is captivated viewing your cell phone, the world recedes into the background. (In Tokyo, some people even do this for extended periods while walking down the street!)
Sitting in a room amid rows of strangers, facing a wall, experiencing feelings ranging from excitement to terror to sadness … You are at the movies!
Being caught up in a video game and not only losing track of time, but also losing track of of the number of games played.
Automatically stepping out of an elevator when the doors open, and suddenly finding that you are on the wrong floor.
Hypnosis is a safe process, with a history extending back over 200 years. The British Medical Association (BMA) approved hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in 1958. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) also approved hypnosis as a treatment modality in 1958.
Can I become stuck in hypnosis?
It is impossible to become stuck in hypnosis. This can only happen in the movies! Once in a hypnotic state, if not roused, a person will naturally emerge at their own pace. Just as you can naturally go into a daydream, you return just as easily.
Will I lose control in hypnosis?
You always remain in control. All hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis. Even in the deepest states of hypnosis, a part of your mind remains aware of everything that is happening. Your values remain intact. A person will never do anything in hypnosis that they would not do in a normal waking state.
Can I be hypnotized?
Anyone of average or above average intelligence can go into hypnosis. If you are able to read and understand this page, you are capable of going into hypnosis. Once any misconceptions about it have been cleared away, anyone willing can go into hypnosis.