​What is Hypnosis?

 

Hypnosis is described as, "a focused state of concentrated attention that allows you to access the inner resources you need to achieve a desired goal, while filtering out the peripheral distractions." It is a natural state that we tap into multiple times a day. Have you ever gotten super deep into reading a book and almost felt like you were experiencing it? Have you ever missed your exit while driving for zoning out? Have you started crying or feeling the emotions of the characters during a movie? Gone for a walk and not remember part of it? What about scrolling through social media and tuning out the outside world? I bet you have experience one, if not a few, of these. These are all forms of 'trance,' where we put our focus on one intention and start tuning out external stimuli. Isn't it nice to know that you have already been practicing hypnosis?

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The difference with the trances above and a hypnotherapy session is in a hypnotherapy session, a skilled Hypnotherapist will guide you into a trance and then use suggestion and imagery to create new beliefs within your unconscious mind. In our brains, we have neural pathways which are neurons in the brain connected to one another to form thought patterns. It works just like a muscle, the more repeated thoughts and behaviors we have, the more it strengthens these pathways, making them more efficient and automatic. We can always stimulate the creation of new connections.

 

Misconceptions About Hypnosis​​

Thanks to how it's portrayed in movies, books, and stage performances, hypnosis is often misunderstood. Many people believe hypnosis is about mind control, but ideas like this are far-fetched and unethical for a skilled Hypnotherapist to do. In reality, hypnosis is a safe, natural, and cooperative process that helps people access deeper parts of their mind for healing and growth.

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Benefits to Hypnosis:

• Stress relief

• Overcoming fears and phobias, worries

• Breaking habits (e.g., smoking, nail-biting, over-eating)

• Improving sleep

• Boosting confidence and motivation

• Managing pain and physical discomfort

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The History Of Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been used for healing and transformation for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including Egypt and Greece, practiced trance-like states for spiritual and medical purposes. In the 18th century, Franz Mesmer introduced "animal magnetism," sparking interest in hypnosis as a healing tool. In the 19th century, James Braid coined the term "hypnosis" (from the Greek word hypnos, meaning sleep) and studied its psychological effects, paving the way for modern hypnotherapy. He discovered that hypnosis was a psychological state, not a mystical force. Braid also tried to change the word "hypnosis" to "mono-ideaism" but it didn't have a lasting effect.

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By the 20th century, hypnosis gained scientific recognition, with pioneers like Milton Erickson refining its therapeutic applications. In 1958, the American Medical Association acknowledged hypnosis as an effective medical treatment. Today, hypnosis is widely used for healing, personal growth, and unconscious reprogramming, helping people overcome obstacles and align with their true potential.

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Can everyone be hypnotized? ​

​As reported in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY” (Jan./Feb. 2001):   "Contrary to popular belief, practically everyone – about 95% of all people  can be hypnotized to some degree.  The only question is how far." 

When you understand what hypnosis is, you come to understand it is a natural state of concentrated focused awareness which only requires a willingness to follow instructions by a skilled Hypnotherapist.  Unless someone is uncooperative, or has a severe mental disorder that renders them unable to understand and follow simple direction, they can learn to go into at least a light hypnotic state, and most people can be trained to enter deeper states with practice. The usual reason someone feels they “can’t be hypnotized” is because of a false impression of what hypnosis is, or an experience working with a hypnotist with limited knowledge, skills and/or experience.  Most behavior modification and even pain management generally require only a light state of hypnosis. And it's important to keep in mind all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The hypnotherapist cannot force a person to go into trance who doesn't want to go or has hesitation. That is why it is key for good rapport and for the client to trust their Hypnotherapist.

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​​Here are some more definitions of hypnosis:
William J. Bryan Jr., American M.D. - “Hypnosis is a normal physiological, altered state of consciousness, similar to, but not the same as being asleep, and is produced by the presence of two conditions: (1) a central focus of attention, and (2) surrounding areas of inhibition. The state of hypnosis, in turn produces three things: (1) an increased concentration of the mind, (2) an increased relaxation of the body, and, (3) and increased susceptibility to suggestions.”  

S. J. Van Pelt, Australian physician working in England - “Hypnosis is a peculiar psychological state in which the mind is particularly susceptible to suggestion. This state may be brought about by various means, by either the hypnotist or the patient himself, in which case it is known as auto-hypnosis.”  

Milton Erickson, American M.D. - “Hypnosis is a shrinking of the focus of attention.”

Dave Elman, American Hypnotist - “Hypnosis is the use of suggestion, whether direct or indirect, to induce a heightened state of suggestibility in which there is bypass of the critical faculty of the mind, and selective attention to suggestions given.”  

Conrad Adams, Alpha University Founder - “Hypnosis is, in the very simplest of terms, focused relaxation.”