Q01: Where and how did hypnosis begin?

Q02: Can hypnosis help me?

Q03: How does hypnosis feel?

Q04: Will I be asked to do anything against my will?

Q05: How is hypnosis induced?

Q06: Is hypnosis brainwashing?

Q07: Will the hypnotist gain control over my mind?

Q08: Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

Q09: Is hypnosis dangerous?

Q10: How to choose a competant hypnotherapist

Q11: What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Q12: What are the conscious, subconscious and unconscious parts of the mind?

Q13: Can children be hypnotized and is it effective?

Q14: Are past life memories real or imagined?

Q15: Is hyonosis real?  How does it work?

Q16: Is hypnosis medically approved?

Q17: Does hypnosis really stop pain during surgery?

Q18: How is hypnosis thought of today, generally?

Q19: What is hypnosis like?

Q20: Who can be hypnotized?

Q21: What about stage shows?

Q22: Points of interest

Q23: What can hypnosis help with?

Q24: Disclaimer

A01: Where and how did hypnosis start?

The basics of hypnosis go back to ancient times. It is difficult to pin down the earliest use. Evidence has been found in ancient Egyptian cultures, ancient and present day African cultures and many others. There is even evidence of it in Native American tribes through their ability to perform sacred rituals for days without rest, food or water. Often hypnosis was incorrectly seen as sorcery or witchcraft.

Wider non-secret usage of hypnosis began in the late 1700's in several forms under different names. There was Anton Mesmer with mesmerism. Then in the late 1800's Dr. James Braid and Dr. James Esdaile brought forward hypnoanesthesia. It was Braid who coined the term, "hypnosis." After many ups and downs and hypnosis falling in and out of favor, it finally began to make a slow but consistent rise. On the battlefield, it was necessary to deal with treatment of soldiers who were hurt and needed medical attention without the use of pain medication. Later off of the battle field, when soldiers began to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, hypnosis was used to relieve the frightening effects. Since then, hypnosis has slowly progressed and is becoming more widely accepted and respected as a viable method of dealing with many issues. Hypnosis is often merged with various forms of psychiatry and psychology with great success.

In 1955, hypnosis was recognized by and accepted by the British Medical association for the treating psychoneuroses, hypnoanesthesia and pain relief during child birth and surgery.

In 1958, hypnosis was recommended to be added to the medical curricula by The Council on Mental Health of the American Medical Association. In 1961, the A.M. A. Council on Medical health recommended that 144 hours of training be given to graduate and postgraduate levels.

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A02: Can hypnosis help me?

That all depends. Do you want to make a positive change in your life? As long as you want positive changes in your life, hypnosis can and will work for you. Hypnosis is beneficial for a myriad of various issues, too numerous to list here. Please see our page titled "Common Hypnosis Applications," for a more comprehensive list of some of the benefits. 

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A03: How does hypnosis feel? 

Hypnosis can be characterized by many different feelings. Hypnosis relaxes the body completely. There can be a tingling sensation in the hands, feet and face; an increase in body temperature, a slowing or speeding up of respiration, a feeling of intense calm and more. Most people are surprised to find that they are very aware of everything while in hypnosis. You may find yourself feeling ultra-relaxed, very light, very heavy or you may even feel like you are in a dream. There is no one way anyone should feel and your experience may be different each time you are hypnotized. No matter how you feel, you are always in complete control and can come up at any time.

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A04: Will I be asked to do anything against my will? 

No. You cannot be made to do anything against your true will. If you do not wish to do something under hypnosis, it will not happen. A good hypnotherapist will not ask you to do anything other than work on the issues at hand.

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A05: How is hypnosis induced?

Hypnosis is induced by using relaxation techniques to distract the conscious mind so the subconscious mind can be communicated with.

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A06: Is hypnosis brainwashing?

No. Hypnosis is merely the act of communicating with the subconscious. Again, you cannot be made to do (think, believe, act, etc..) anything against your will.

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A07: Will the hypnotist gain control over my mind?

No. You are completely in control at all times. You are aware of what is happening and can end the session any time you wish. Your subconscious mind will not accept suggestions it finds violate your moral code. Even in a deep state of hypnosis, you are still in full control of your mind and body.

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A08: Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

No, unlike TV and movie scenarios, you cannot get stuck in hypnosis. Often, people find that hypnosis feels so good, they do not wish to come out. Even then, a person will either come out upon further suggestion to do so, come out when they are ready or go to sleep and awaken when they have had enough rest. Either way, you cannot get stuck.

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A09: Is hypnosis dangerous?

No. Hypnosis is not dangerous. It is not invasive, does not require drugs or any unnatural process to work. It is advised that you spend the time to research and find a qualified hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is not dangerous, but there are those who are not properly trained who may not be able to handle your case effectively. Please see the FAQ below on finding a reputable hypnotherapist for more information.

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A10: How to choose a competent hypnotherapist.

It is very difficult to say who is a good hypnotherapist. Recommendations are ideal, but many people are reluctant to admit they have seen any type of therapist; especially for very personal problems. It is your own experience that will finally decide.

Call the therapist and ask plenty of questions. Ask for professional affiliations and if he/she has certification. Some states do not require hypnotherapists to be certified, so it is always a good idea to ask. A certified hypnotherapist must receive training and testing and is your best bet when looking for a qualified practitioner.

See if you feel comfortable with him/her. Don't commit yourself unless you feel at ease, go away and think about it. Contact the therapist as many times as you feel you need to. No competent hypnotist will attempt to push you into a commitment if you are not completely satisfied. Many hypnotherapists offer free consultations so you can have the chance to decide if you are comfortable enough to pursue therapy up front.

Contact hypnosis organization to find an affiliated hypnotist in your area. Two of such organizations are the National Guild of Hypnotists and the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association. There are others, and most have a search function that allows you to easily find a hypnotherapist close by. 

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A11: What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for self improvement and/or the release of problems. Hypnotherapy involves finding the root cause of the problem, then resolving that cause with support through hypnotic and post hypnotic suggestions.

All hypnotherapy employs hypnosis, but not all hypnosis is hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is communicating with the subconscious to give positive suggestions to effect positive changes.

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A12: What the conscious, subconscious and unconscious parts of the mind?

The conscious mind is the analytical part of the mind. It is where your rationality, why you do what you do, and your willpower lie. It is where temporary memory or short term memory is contained.

The subconscious mind is where your emotions reside and emanate from. This part of your mind does not analyze, it works more like a computer and runs off of the programs it has learned. Your permanent memory resides in your subconscious mind. Your subconscious is also the protective part of your mind and controls the fight or flight response to what it perceives as danger whether real or imagined.

The unconscious mind is the part of the mind that controls your body functions, such as breathing, immunity, heart beat and so on. This is also where past life memories reside. For more information on past life memories, please see the FAQ, Are past life memories real or not?

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A13: Can children be hypnotized and is it effective?

Yes. Children can be hypnotized very effectively. Often, children are more receptive than adults as they are not bogged down by all the worries and past experiences that adults are. Children are also quicker to accept that hypnosis will work for them, therefore they respond very well to it.

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A14: Are past life memories real or imagined?

It doesn't matter.

Really, it doesn't matter whether they are real or perceived. What does matter, is that in some way these memories, whether real or imagined, may have an affect on your quality of life. So at times, it may be important to take look at these memories and work to resolve any unresolved issues so that your quality of life can improve.

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A15: *Is hypnosis real?  How does it work?

Yes, it’s real. Exactly how it works is still under investigation. Over the past few years, researchers have found that when someone is hypnotized, they actively respond to suggestions, even though they sometimes might perceive the dramatic changes in thought and behavior they experience as happening "by themselves." During hypnosis, it is as if the brain temporarily suspends its efforts to validate incoming sensory information, allowing new behaviors and thoughts to occur. And, some people are more hypnotizable than others, although scientists still don't know why.

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A16: *Is hypnosis medically approved?

Hypnosis was first officially recognized as a viable therapeutic tool by the British Government through the Hypnotism Act in 1952. Then, in 1958 both the British and the American Medical Associations (AMA) sanctioned the official use of hypnosis by physicians. In 1958, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) also approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals.

Prestigious hospitals in the U.S. now use and teach hypnosis, such as Stanford University School of Medicine in San Francisco, the Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Since the AMA sanctioned the use of hypnosis, many insurance companies cover hypnosis for medical and dental uses, including major surgeries.

Now, more and more people are choosing hypnosis over anesthesia for surgery. Some choose hypnosis simply because they fear not waking up from anesthesia. The fear-factor aside, however, there are definite medical advantages offered by hypnosis; less bleeding, faster recovery time, and the need for fewer post-operative medications.

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A17: *Does hypnosis really stop pain during surgery?

Patients who have used it say yes. During operations, they report that they can hear and see everything that is going on, but they feel no discomfort.

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A18: *How is hypnosis thought of today, generally?

Myths still abound regarding hypnosis, although it is becoming more widely accepted and trusted. Hypnosis cannot be used to control someone else's mind, or their actions. By using hypnosis, people gain greater control over their own minds and their own actions.

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A19: *What is hypnosis like?

Hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep but one of altered consciousness. There is a feeling of well-being, an ability to recall past events and the acceptance of new ideas that are not in conflict with personal values. There is also a higher threshold to pain. The hypnotic state is like meditation, where the body is relaxed but the mind has heightened awareness. The ability to vocalize is limited, and the limbs feel leaden or light, tingly or somewhat numb. The perception of time is also distorted where an hour might seem like just a few minutes.

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A20: *Who can be hypnotized?

Most people can be hypnotized, and different people go into hypnosis in different ways. Part of the hypnotist's job is to identify what approach will work best for which subject. Those who have trouble trusting the hypnotist or the process, may take more time to go into a hypnotic state, and may not enjoy as many benefits.

There is a common idea that those with 'a strong will’ cannot be hypnotized. It has been shown that intelligent people can be hypnotized faster because they have greater access to their imagination, and can follow instructions. In fact, those with an extremely low intelligence cannot be hypnotized at all. The biggest prerequisite to someone being able to be hypnotized is their willingness.

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A21: *What about stage shows?

Sometimes hypnosis is feared, because often the view of the subject surrendering their 'will' is reinforced by stage hypnotism. It is helpful to remember that stage hypnotists design their shows for entertainment purposes, which include participants doing strange things. What people don't realize is that the stage hypnotist chooses only those who are highly suggestible, and may have a desire to have a "different" or less inhibited experience of themselves. In a hypnotic state, people can give themselves permission to do many things that they may not otherwise be able to do.

In getting more comfortable with the subject of hypnosis, it is often helpful to know what hypnosis is NOT, to know better what it IS, and can do. Solid research findings can help dispel even the most popular of myths.

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A22: *Points of interest

Research shows that physiological responses indicate that hypnotized subjects are not lying.

Hypnotic procedures are natural and safe and no more distressing than history lectures in high school.

Hypnotized subjects may be relaxed, but they are fully awake; and a person can be in hypnosis while running, or dancing, or driving.

Many research tests show placebo responsiveness and hypnotizability are not correlated.

Hypnotized subjects are perfectly capable of saying no, or terminating hypnosis, all by themselves. And there is research available to show that as well.

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A23: *What can hypnosis help with?

Hypnosis helps change attitudes, which is the key to changing behavior. With hypnosis, a person is empowered, and made independent enough to solve his/her own problems. With hypnosis a person can change behaviors that would otherwise seem difficult, if not impossible, to change.

Hypnosis can also improve your essential experience of life, in all its circumstances. Only within the past 40 years have scientists become equipped with instruments, techniques and methods for accurately separating the facts of hypnosis from exaggerated claims. The study of hypnotic phenomena is now properly held within the domain of normal cognitive science, with papers on hypnosis published in many major scientific and medical journals. Newest clinical research findings reveal, however, that hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion, when used properly, can powerfully alter cognitive processes as diverse as memory and pain perception.

Hypnosis is not talk therapy, and does not include advising, diagnosing or prescribing. That would be the domain of other professionals, usually licensed to counsel. The primary aim of hypnosis itself is self-healing, and self change. The hypnotist's job is to assist the subject to achieve those natural states of mind where healing and change best happen. Used correctly, hypnosis is especially useful for tapping into that awesome power of the human mind.

If you can think it, and believe it, hypnosis can help make it so.

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A24: Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Hypnosis cannot, and should not, stand alone as the sole medical or psychological intervention for any disorder. Hypnosis should not be used instead of appropriate medical, dental, or psychological treatment, and any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a qualified health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice. Hypnosis should only be practiced by those who have been appropriately trained, who practice appropriately, and within the scope of their training.

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