Hypnosis is a medium or modality through which you may become more alert to and focused on your own thoughts and feelings. But it’s not all that different from being absorbed in thought or reading a book.

1. Overview
Hypnosisisa mediumormodalitythroughwhichyoumaybecome more alerttoand focusedon
your ownthoughtsandfeelings.Butit’snotall that differentfrombeingabsorbedinthoughtor
readinga book.
Withhypnosis,youare far more opento suggestion,atleasttosuggestionscompatiblewithwhat
youare motivatedtoachieve.Itisa formof intense receptiveconcentration.Accordingly,hypnosis
oftenisusedto modifybehaviorandovercome phobiasandbadhabits—itcanhelpyoumake
changes that you’ve beenunabletomake otherwise.
There’snodefinitive explanationforexactlyhow andwhyitworks,andexpertsdebate what’s
involvedwhenyouare ina hypnoticstate.Whatseemsto happenisthathypnosisallowsusto
maximize ourmotivation.More researchisbeingconductedtounderstandhow hypnosisworks.
Questionsnotwithstanding,hypnosisseemstobe effective formanypeople.Infact,a National
Institutesof Health(NIH) panel hasendorseditsuse forthe relief of varioustypesof chronicpain.As
a relaxationtechnique,hypnosiscanhelpreduce yourstress.Italsocan be a useful tool tohelp
relieve phobias,lessenanxiety,breakaddictionsandease symptomsof conditionssuchasasthmaor
allergy.Usinghypnosiscanhelppatients control nauseaandvomitingfromcancermedicationsand
morningsickness,reduce bleedingduringsurgery,steadythe heartbeatandbringdownblood
pressure.
But not everyone lostsightof the potential.Aroundthe 1840s, JamesBraid,MD, an English
ophthalmologist,coinedthe term“hypnosis.”(It’sreallysomethingof amisnomer;itcomesfrom
hypnos,the Greekwordforsleep.) Thanksinpartto Braid,interestinhypnotherapywasrekindled.
Freuduseditearlyon buteventuallyrejectedit,andthe practice againfell outof favor.
The historyof hypnosisisalongand interestingone.Manyancientcultures—includingthe
Sumerians,Greeks,DruidsandNative Americans—inducedtrancelike states.Modernhypnosisdates
to the 18th century,andit startedwitha man manynow consideracharlatan.Austrianphysician
Franz AntonMesmertriedtocure patientsbytransferring“magnetism,”ashe calledit,fromhis
bodyto hispatients(afterputtingtheminatrance).Histheorieswere quicklydiscarded,andhe was
labeledaquack.(Hisname gave rise to the term“mesmerize.”) Unfortunately,he helpedcreate the
inaccurate notionthathypnosiswassomehow fraudulent.

2. In earliertimes,hypnosiswaspracticedwithanauthoritative style,buteventually,amore
permissive,interactivemethodevolved.
Today,hypnosisisusedbymanyhealthcare professionals,includingnurses,anesthesiologists,
dentists,surgeonsandpsychotherapists,whoare trainedtouse hypnosisintheirspecialties.It’salso
usedto boostcreativity,enhance confidence andself-esteemandimprove studyskills.
Diagnosis
Hypnosis,amediumormodalitythroughwhichyoumaybecome more alerttoyour ownthoughts
and feelings,canbe appropriate fora numberof healthconditions,especiallyoneswithemotional
or psychological components.While the successrate varies,manyhealthcare professionals
recommendconsideringhypnosisforthe following:
Asthma:Studiessuggestthathypnosismaybe one usefultool inmanagingasthma,especiallywhen
there are emotional andpsychologicalfactorsinvolved.
Burns:Hypnosiscan reduce the painassociatedwithburnsandisparticularlyuseful whennarcotic
painrelieversare eitherinappropriate orineffective.The AmericanSocietyof Clinical Hypnosis
(ASCH) takeshypnosisastepfurther,maintainingthathypnosiscannotonlyease the painbut, when
usedearlyenough,mayreduce inflammationandpromote healing.
Childbirth:Hypnosiscanease the stressandpainof childbirth.The ASCHsaysthatfor some women,
hypnosiscanworkas the sole analgesicforchildbirth.Itnotonlyeliminatesthe riskposedbydrugs,
but itmay reduce labortime bytwo to fourhours.(Itcan be usedinconjunctionwithnatural
childbirthapproaches.)
Chronicpain:A National Institutesof Health(NIH) panelconcludedthatthere wasevidencethat
hypnosisiseffectiveinalleviatingsome kindsof painassociatedwithvariouscancers.The panel also
statedthat hypnosiscanbe a part of the treatmentprogramfor otherconditions, including
inflammatoryconditionsof the mouth,temporomandibular(TMJ) disordersandheadaches.It’salso
usedto relievethe chronicpainassociatedwithmultiple sclerosis,arthritis,rheumatoidarthritisand
back problems.

3. Dermatological problems: Hypnosishasbeenusedforavarietyof skinconditions,includingwarts,
itching,acne,dermatitis,eczema,herpessimplex,psoriasisandrosacea.Itsuse can speedhealing.A
studyinthe Archivesof Dermatologyconcludedthatincertainpatients,itcan decrease oreliminate
symptomsand,insome cases,cure the condition—oratleastsenditintoremission.
Gastrointestinal disorders:The use of hypnosishasbeensuccessfullyusedtotreatvarious
gastrointestinal problems,includingulcers,colitis,Crohn’sdiseaseandirritable bowel syndrome
(IBS).A studypresentedtothe AmericanGastroenterological Associationindicatedthathypnosis
seemstorelax the autonomicnervoussystem, whichcontrolsmovementinthe digestive tract.
Hemophilia:Individualssufferingfromhemophilia,arare blooddisorder,oftencanbe taughtto use
self-hypnosistocontrol vascularflowandtoeliminate the needforabloodtransfusion.
Insomnia:Hypnosis,like meditation,biofeedbackandothertechniquestopromote relaxationand
reduce stress,isoftenusedtohelptreatsleepdisorders.
Medical/dental visits:Some physiciansanddentistsuse hypnoticchangestorelax patientsand
reduce painduringmedical anddental procedures.Inthe hospital setting,itcanhelpreduce anxiety
and enhance healing.Accordingtothe ASCH,hypnosis,inrare circumstances,hasbeenusedasthe
sole anestheticforsurgery.Butthisis nota typical application.Perhapsof more significance tomost
of usis a studyinthe Britishmedical journal Lancetindicatingthathypnosisreducesanxiety
associatedwithsurgery,postoperative surgical painandcomplications.
Nausea/morningsickness:Forsome pregnantwomen,hypnosiscanrelievethe nauseaandvomiting
associatedwithmorningsickness. Itcanalsohelpreduce the nauseaassociatedwithvariouscancer
treatments.
Smoking:Hypnosisissometimesusedtohelppeople quitsmoking.A studyintheInternational
Journal of Clinical andExperimental Hypnosisfoundthatsmokerswhounderwenthypnosisfared
betterthandidsmokerswhoattemptedtoquiton theirown;however,hypnosisdidn’tseemtobe
more effectivethanothersmokingcessationtreatments.
Otherbehavioral modifications:Hypnosismaybe usedforconcentrationdifficulties,testanxietyand
learningdisorders.Italsomaybe usedintreatingsexual dysfunctionandathleticperformance.

4. Otherhabitdisorders:Hypnosisisusedforotheraddictive behaviorsandhabitdisorderstoo,
includingbruxism(teethgrinding) andnail biting.Ithasgenerallynotbeenfounduseful inworking
withdrug andalcohol addictions.
Stressand anxiety:Asarelaxationtechnique,hypnosisreducesstressandanxietyandhelpscure
phobias.Italsocan sometimeshelpyouandthe therapistcome toa better understandingof what’s
causingthe anxietyorphobia.
Trauma: Hypnosismayhelpwithpsychotherapyintreatingtraumafromincest,rape andabuse.
Weightloss:Hypnosisseemstohelpwithlow-to-moderateweightloss,butgenerallyonlywhen
combinedwithsome sortof behavioral weight-managementprogram.
Noteveryone canbe hypnotized.Susceptibilityvaries,andabout10 percentof uscan’t be
hypnotizedatall.Formostuses,however,it’snotessential thatyoube highlyhypnotizableto
achieve results.
Hypnosismaynotbe foryou if youhave certainpsychological conditions—particularlythose caused
by chemical imbalancesinthe brain.If yousufferfrompsychosis,severe depression(oranother
organicpsychiatriccondition) orantisocial personalitydisorder,youshouldprobablynotattempt
hypnosis.These conditionsrequiredifferentformsof treatment;hypnosisisnotconsideredan
appropriate treatmentoption.
Treatment
It’simportantto rememberthathypnosis,amediumthroughwhichyoumay become more alertto
your ownthoughtsandfeelings,isanot a treatmentor a therapybyitself.Itcan helprelieve
symptoms,reduce painandevensometimesspeedhealing.It’salsobeeneffectiveinchanging
unhealthybehavior.If,however,youare consideringhypnosisforamedical condition,youneedto
consultwithyourhealthcare professional,whowill mostlikelyrecommendthatyoualsocontinue
your regulartreatments.
If you are seekingrelief foramedical condition,youprobablywanttofinda healthcare
professional—suchasaphysician,nurse,psychiatrist,psychologistorsocial worker— whoistrained

5. and experiencednotonlyinhypnosisbutalsowithyourparticularsymptomorailment.Alwaysseek
people whohave hadthe maximumtrainingpossible inthe areainwhichyouare seekinghelp.
Remember,itisyourmindtheywill be workingwith.
Findingaqualifiedhypnotherapistisn’tthathard.Many healthcare professionalslicensedinother
fieldspractice hypnosis,sochancesare goodthat yourhealthcare professional cangive youa
referral.Twomajororganizationsthatare recognizedashavinghighprofessional standardsare The
AmericanSocietyof Clinical Hypnosis(ASCH) andThe Societyof Clinical andExperimental Hypnosis
(SCEH).Both can provide the namesof qualifiedpractitionersinyourarea:
Licensingandgovernmentalregulationvarybyjurisdiction.Trainingrequirementsvaryaswell.The
ASCH holdsmemberstothe followingstandards:
ASCH certificationrequiresatleasta master’sdegree inahealthcare disciplineconsidered
appropriate bythe society;licensure/certificationinthe state of practice;membershipina
professionalsocietyconsistentwithdegree;40hoursof post-professional-degree workshoptraining;
20 hours of individualizedtrainingandconsultationwithanASCH-approvedconsultant;andtwo
yearsusinghypnosisinclinical practice.
Recognitionasanapprovedconsultantnecessitatesall of the requirementsforASCHplusatleast60
hoursof post-degreeeducationandtraining;five yearsof practice inclinical hypnosis;andfive years
of membershipinthe ASCH,SCEHor an equivalentorganization.
The First Session
Most practitionersspendthe firstsessionorpartof the firstsessiongettingtoknow you,makingan
assessmentof howhypnosiscanhelpyouandgenerallyexplainingwhathypnosisisall about.
It’simportantthat youuse thistime,before beginningtherapy,todetermine whetheryouhave a
goodrapport withthe therapist.The therapistwillgothroughthe processwithyou,answering
questionsandlettingyouknowwhattoexpect.Together,youwill discusswhatsuggestionswill be
made while youare hypnotized.The therapistmayalsoruna few preliminaryteststodetermine
your abilitytobe hypnotized.Youmustbe willingtobe hypnotized,oritwon’twork.
Whentherapybegins,you’llsit,recline orlie comfortably.The roomwill be quiet,withgentle
lighting.

6. The processbeginswithwhatiscalledinduction—thatis,beingbroughtintoahypnoticstate.To
accomplishthis,the therapistmayuse one of several inductiontechniquesthatserve tofocusyour
attention.Manyof us have seendepictionsinmoviesorTV of hypnotherapistsswingingapocket
watch,but todayit ismore commonfora therapisttoask the subjecttostare at a small,stationary
object—suchasa coloredthumbtackonthe wall.Most therapistsuse suggestionsforrelaxation,
calm andwell-being.Yourtherapistmayaskyouto count backwardfrom a certainnumber.Or
perhaps,the therapistwill simplydirectyoutorelax,breathe deeplyandlisten.Howeveritisdone,
the pointisto ease youinto a trancelike state inwhichyouare extremelyfocusedand,often,deeply
relaxed.Inductioncantake a fewsecondsorseveral minutes.
What doesitfeel like?It’saverysubjectiveexperiencethatvariesdependingonthe degree of
hypnotizability.Some peoplesayitfeelslikeanalteredstate of consciousness.Othersdisagree,
simplysayingtheyfeelfocused,calmandrelaxed.According tothe AmericanPsychotherapyand
Medical HypnosisAssociation(APMHA),hypnosisisanaturallyoccurringphenomenonthatwe go
intoand outof constantly—forexample,whilewatchinganinterestingprogramonTV,readinga
book,drivingacar or daydreaming.Infact,mostpeople describethe experience asverypleasant.
Beinghypnotizedisnotthe same as sleep,becomingunconsciousor“passingout,”andit’snot like
an anesthetic.Youdonot lose control overyourmindor yourfeelings.Youdonotweakenor
surrenderyourwill toanyotherperson.Infact, your willpowermaybe strengthenedwithhypnosis,
accordingto the AustralianSocietyof Hypnosis.
Once you are focused,the therapistmay,duringthisorlatersessions,make suggestionsrelatingto
your particularcondition;mostlikely,the therapistwill use mental imageryandvisualization
exercises.Some of these suggestionsmaybe posthypnoticsuggestions:Thismeansthatyoureceive
a directive tofollowatsome laterpoint.Youmaynot rememberreceivingthe suggestion,butif it’s
somethingyouwanttodo, you’ll carryit out—withoutnecessarilyknowingthe source of the
instruction.
At the endof the session,the therapistwillteachorguide youto enterandexitthe state of
hypnosis.This shouldbe done before the endof the session.Youmayfeel drowsywhenyoufinish
the session.Youmightfeel veryrelaxedorhave astrong sense of well-being.If youare seekingpain
relief,youmaynotice lesspain.Oryoumaynot feel anyimmediate change.Andyoumaynot
rememberwhattranspiredduringthe session—thisiscalledposthypnoticamnesia.
A sessioncanlastup to 90 minutes.The numberof visitsyoumake dependsonwhatyouhope to
accomplish.Youandthe therapistwill discussthe detailsinthe firstsession.The costof hypnosis
variesdependingonwhere youlive.Mostinsurance companieswill cover50 to 80 percentof the

7. therapy,especiallyif yourtherapistisalicensedhealthcare professional (andyoushouldonlybe
seeingalicensedhealthcare professional).
Duringyour sessions,the therapistwill probablyteachyouaboutself-hypnosis.(Youcanlearnthis
technique fromtapes,butmostexpertsadviselearningfromaqualifiedtherapist.)Self-hypnosis
sessionstake 30 to 40 secondstoa fewminutesandcanbe done daily.Sometimes,five to15
minutesorlongermaybe more therapeuticdependingonthe problem.
Your hypnotherapistwill teachyouthe propertechnique.Butthe basicsare simple:Youwill sitorlie
ina comfortable place andfocusintensely.Usingimagery,relaxationandbreathingtechniques,you
will bringyourselftoa hypnoticstate.Once there,youwill tell yourself whatyouneedtohear—or
listentoa tape withthat message.
Facts to Know
There’snodefinitive scientificexplanationforhow hypnosisworks;researchcontinuesintowhyit’s
effective.
The term “hypnosis”wascoinedinthe 19th centuryand comesfromhypnos,the Greekwordfor
sleep.However,beinghypnotizedisnotthe same as sleep,becomingunconsciousor“passingout,”
and it’snotlike an anesthetic.
Noteveryone canbe hypnotized.Susceptibilityvaries,andabout10 percentof uscan’t be
hypnotizedatall.
Hypnosismaynotbe foryou if youhave certainpsychological conditions—particularlythose caused
by chemical imbalancesinthe brain.If yousufferfrompsychosis,severe depressionor another
organicpsychiatricproblem,othertreatmentoptionswill be recommendedandare more
appropriate.
It’sa goodideato spendsome time withthe professional todetermine whetheryouwill workwell
together.Thiscanbe accomplishedeitherbyphone—before cominginforyourfirstvisit—orbythe
endof the firstsession.If you’re uncomfortableinthe firstsession,trustyourinstinctsanddon’t
return.
Sessionswithahypnotherapistcanlastfrom45 to 90 minutes—mostare aroundan hour.
For medical problems,hypnosisshouldbe usedinadditiontomedical diagnosisandappropriate
treatments.
KeyQ&A

8. I wantto quitsmoking.Will hypnosishelp?Itmay,if youare highlymotivated.Studiesindicate thatit
worksbetterthantryingto go it alone and as well asany otherapproach.The problemisthatall
smokingcessationtreatmentshave lowlong-termsuccessrates.(Of course,someexpertssaythat
for the smokerwhoreallywantstoquit,the successrate is100 percent.)
A hypnotherapistIsawcomes highlyrecommended.ButIjustdon’tfeel comfortablearoundhim.Is
that reasonenoughtofindanotherone?Indeeditis.Withhypnotherapy,youhave totrustyour
instinct.Nomatterhowgoodyour practitioneris,youneedtohave confidence inyourtherapist.
Keeplookingforone withwhomyoucanfeel comfortable.
I’mintelligentandstrongwilled.DoesthatmeanIcan’t be hypnotized?Intelligence isn’tabarrierto
beinghypnotized.Beingstrongwilledmaymeanthatyouwon’tbe easilyhypnotized,butitdoesn’t
meanit’simpossible.Motivationandthe abilitytoconcentrate are the mostimportantcomponents
to successful hypnotization.
Can hypnosisbe usedtoblocka memory?Thishappensonlyrarely.Spontaneousmemoryblocks
usuallyoccurwhentheyare associatedwithsome sortof trauma, not treatment.Withhighly
hypnotizablepatients,memoriescanbe blocked,butit’susuallyashort-termeffect.