Hypnosis: the Ins and Outs
Hypnosis is a trance-like state where the patient experiences an enhanced focus and suggestibility. While a person who is hypnotized may seem zoned out, they are hyper-aware.
Hypnosis is done under the guidance of a trained therapist and is used to reduce undesired behaviors or better cope with pain and anxiety. While hypnotist TV shows have shown hypnosis in a bad light, it’s essential to know that you don’t lose control of yourself.
Different Types of Hypnosis
There are a few different types of hypnosis to be aware of:
- Hypnotherapy is a type of hypnosis administered by a qualified therapist, used to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), eating disorders, and phobias.
- Guided hypnosis. This hypnosis requires you to listen to and follow recorded instructions on a mobile app.
- Self-hypnosis is where the person puts themselves into a hypnotic state using visualizations and affirmations. Some studies have shown this form of hypnosis to reduce back pain and enhance weight loss effectively.
Why Use Hypnosis?
Hypnosis improves a wide range of health conditions and behaviors. Some of these include:
- Control of pain
- Management of ADHD
- Reduction of dementia symptoms
- Alleviation of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Help alleviate skin conditions
- Treatment of chronic pain during childbirth
- Reduced vomiting and nausea in cancer patients
- Behavior changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and preventing bed wetting
- Enhance sleep health in those with insomnia
3 Things Hypnosis Cannot Do
While hypnosis is a powerful tool that can help in many ways, it does have limitations. Here are 3 things hypnosis cannot do, no matter how talented the therapist:
- Hypnosis Cannot Cure a Serious Disease. While hypnosis has proved to help people with cancer relax, deal with pain, and cope with the treatment, it cannot cure a person of the disease or any other severe disease.
- Hypnosis Cannot Change a Person’s Appearance. Hypnosis cannot change your appearance. It can only affect your brain and your actions.
- Hypnosis Cannot Make You Live Forever. While hypnosis cannot make you live forever, it can help prolong your life by helping you get rid of bad habits and have a more positive, happy life experience.
If you struggle to fall asleep or get a night of deep sleep, try self-hypnosis meditations on the BetterSleep app. Several meditations use self-hypnosis and will guide you through the steps needed to drift off more quickly and wake up refreshed.
