Many people have a view of hypnosis based on what they have seen on TV or in a theatre. This gives the impression that a person who is hypnotised gives over total control of their mind to the hypnotist. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which enables a focalisation of the mind. It is a way to access the subconscious part of the mind using relaxation exercises which are used to take the mind into a deep daydream type of state. While in this relaxed state metabolism slows down, heartbeat and breathing rates reduce. The brainwave patterns also change and produce alpha waves, the same also happens in deep meditation. People under hypnosis are not asleep and are still able to resist any suggestion that is damaging to them. It cannot be used to force a person to act against his or her will. One is fully conscious of everything that is going on and, contrary to what you may have heard, is in complete control.
Historically, hypnosis dates back to the Greeks who used it as a form of therapy for anxiety and hysterical states. Hypnosis, a term which was coined by surgeon James Braid, comes from Hypnos, the Greek God of sleep. It was used by the medical profession until chloroform was discovered as an anaesthetic in 1848. An earlier form of therapeutic hypnotism known as ‘mesmerism’ was developed by Mesmer, a German healer born in 1734 in Vienna. He sought to release pain and restore the balance of universal life force in patients. In a hypnotherapy session a client is led to a state of deep relaxation by the therapist. Suggestions are then made by previous agreement which help the client to create a new behaviour and a new reality for themselves. Hypnotherapy, a powerful and successful technique, is mostly associated with helping people quit smoking and lose weight, but is widely used to treat a whole range of problems such as stress related anxieties and phobias. Hypnosis is used in Past Life Regression. Self-hypnosis can help people deal with anxiety, stress, depression and nervousness. Remember, hypnosis is safe when done correctly and if done for the right reasons.
