Thursday, January 21, 2010

Hypnosis - What It Is And What It Is Not

By Ashley Cox

Hypnosis and its subset, hypnotherapy, have always been mired in myths. Some believe them to be some sort of magic while others hesitate to even recognize their existence. Provided below are some general misconceptions prevalent about hypnosis, and the real truth behind them.

Hypnosis has nothing to do with magic spells of any kind. It is a very easy technique, which can be explained easily with the help of psychology and other scientific methods. The authenticity of hypnosis is suspected even by people who have watched it working on subjects. They say that hypnotised people allow practitioners to perform well in their art by not displaying enough will power to withstand the effect of their words. But this again is a complete fallacy. Even mentally strong people can fall under the spell of a specialist hypnosis practitioner.

Another false belief about hypnosis that people have made up without reason is that it is an alternate state of consciousness. A hypnotized person is completely conscious of his environment. Hypnosis actually induces a state of complete relaxation characterized by a rise in levels of concentration, and this heightened sensitivity helps the subject to receive suggestions with considerable ease.

Some scientists have concluded that hypnosis succeeds on just 5% of the world's population, and this is another common myth. Researchers have hit upon this low result because they have made use of the same hypnosis technique on all subjects without focusing on their individual traits. One hypnosis procedure for all is not a workable answer as different individuals fall under different personality types, and therefore respond to different methods.

Many people consider hypnosis to be a variant of meditation. However, interaction between the subject and the practitioner is indispensable in hypnosis, while meditation is like an engagement with the self without any external interaction involved. Similarly, a state of trance is also sometimes confused with hypnosis, which is not correct. The person doesn't interact to achieve a state of trance, on the other hand hypnosis is impossible without communication.

A majority of people believe that it is impossible to bring about alterations in one's looks and conduct through hypnosis training or hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is clearly not wizardry that it can change the physical appearance of a person just like that. But by mentally conditioning a person to abandon addictive habits like overeating and constant smoking, and by raising one's inspiration levels, hypnosis can bring about important physical changes in a person and ensure a healthier body.

If an individual believes in all the wrong notions that prevail regarding hypnotherapy and doesn't go for a hypnotic session, then he will himself burn the bridge to a happier and healthier life.

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