Hypnosis Is Much More Than

Hypnosis is much more than a parlor trick and magician's tool. The technique is not about mind control. Hypnosis can be a therapeutic intervention, referred to as hypnotherapy when used in a clinical setting. The technique works on proven scientific principles centering on altering brain waves. Moreover, hypnosis research proves the technique's efficacy in reducing stress, eliminating disease symptoms, and improving quality of life.

Leading medical authorities testify to the power of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in alleviating disease and dysfunction. The Mayo Clinic, one of the world's premier healthcare and healthcare research institutions, extols the wonders of hypnosis by citing empirical research reports. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, hypnosis is especially effective in reducing bad habits, fears, and anxieties. Hypnosis can also be used for pain relief, lowering blood pressure, and reducing nausea. Diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, and skin disorders also respond especially well to hypnosis. A recent report published in Science Daily notes that hypnosis may slow the symptoms of dementia ("Hypnosis Shown To Reduce Symptoms Of Dementia"). In cases of severe pain, addiction, illness or injury, hypnosis can be one of the most effective adjuncts to conventional medication or therapy. Dr. Michael Craig Miller of Harvard College calls hypnosis "one of the oldest forms of psychotherapy in the Western world," as well as one of the "most misunderstood."

In fact, hypnosis is totally non-invasive. The client remains wholly in control of his or her own mind during a hypnotherapy session. Stories about unwitting individuals acting like chickens on stage are rapidly being eclipsed by tales of genuine medical marvels. Hypnosis has gone mainstream.

The New York Times and other reputable newspapers publish stories on the emerging trend of hypnosis: how the technique is being used to treat a number of psychological and physical ailments. The most recent New York Times article about hypnosis details the success stories of individuals who were cured of their phobias and addictions after only one session (Brody).

That hypnotherapy is real and effective is no longer up for debate. Skeptics are about as rare as they are in dismissing global warming. The next step for hypnotherapy is not proving its efficacy but rather, developing accessible, effective, affordable and reliable methods. Insurance companies do not yet recognize hypnotherapy as part of standard medical procedure. They should, given the effectiveness of the procedure and its being non-invasive. Hypnosis is many times safer than any pharmacological intervention and cheaper than psychotherapy. Hypnosis allows individuals to take back control over their own minds and bodies.

Self-hypnosis offers a way to cheaply yet effectively capitalize on the benefits of hypnosis without relying on an expensive therapist. While anyone can learn self-hypnosis, some initial training is necessary. Like meditation, hypnosis and self-hypnosis create a brain wave state that enables deep changes in cognition. The individual begins by relaxing the body and mind completely. A relaxed state of mind is the most crucial aspect of self-hypnosis the foundation upon which change is built.

Whole belief systems can be transformed with the power of hypnosis, which is why the technique is used for treating addictions and phobias. On the Tonight Show with David Letterman, actor Matt Damon lauded the power of hypnosis to help him stop smoking. Damon noted, "I should have done it years ago. It's amazing - I didn't even want cigarettes any more," (cited on the Hypnosis Network).

No absolute statistics for the effectiveness of hypnosis are possible due to a number of intervening variables that interfere with research validity and reliability. Hypnosis works in part because of the cooperation of the client. The placebo effect is a type of hypnosis: the person tricks his or her body or mind based on the belief that a substance is working. In other words, the placebo effect is hypnosis in action. Hypnosis proves that it does not matter whether or not a pill or technique works; what really matters is whether or not the individual believes that it will. At the same time, hypnosis has been known to be effective on individuals who did not believe entirely in the procedure. Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what makes hypnosis effective (Mayo Clinic).