When you hear the word “hypnosis” you may immediately think of a funny stage show or a mysterious “Svengali” hypnotist that mesmerizes people by saying, “Look into my eyes”.  It is true that you can have a great party with a stage hypnotist, however it is false that anyone can just say, “Look into my eyes” and control another person with hypnosis.

What is hypnosis?  Hypnosis is a relaxed state of mind and body that heightens suggestibility.  In this relaxed state the hypnotist guides the person or client into a state of receptive concentration.  All hypnosis is really self-hypnosis; the client allows this process to occur and is actually in control of their mind and body so they may benefit from the session.  Harvard scientists have demonstrated in recent experiments that the brain does undergo observable changes in hypnosis.
What are the many benefits of hypnosis?  Hypnosis can be used for stress management, pain management, habit control, weight management, smoking cessation, sports enhancement, and as an alternative to sedation with medical and dental procedures without the side effects of drugs.

Several recent studies indicate hypnosis may be very effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.  Another series of studies indicated combining hypnosis with any solid weight reduction program produced twice the reduction in pounds.  In scientific studies, the use of hypnosis has been shown to be three times as effective as other methods of stopping smoking.

Hypnosis in popular media.  Society has been strongly influenced by the way the media has portrayed hypnosis.  A classic depiction of hypnosis was given in the 1962 movie The Manchurian Candidate, a Cold War thriller that warned of the dangers of brain washing.  While The Manchuria Candidate is a good film, its depiction of hypnosis is misleading.

Unfortunately, most popular portrayals have been negative, going all the way back to the fictional character Svengali.  In 1894, the British author George du Maurier published the novel Trilby.  In the novel, the fictious character, Svengali, uses hypnosis to control the heroine.  Trilby was a best-seller and gave to the world the idea that hypnosis could be misused.  Trilby and the fictional character Svengali gave the world two false impressions of hypnosis.  First, the belief that someone can be kept in a trace and secondly, that a person can be made to do something under hypnosis that they do not want to do.  On a positive note, many modern movie celebrities use hypnosis.  One is Kevin Costner who flew out a hypnotist to help him overcome seasickness during the filming of his epic movie, Waterworld.

All of us are fearful or skeptical of the unknown.  Here are some common questions:
1. Can hypnosis be done against my will? NO!
The view among experts and clinical practitioners is that no person can be hypnotized against their wishes.  Most hypnotists agree that people cannot be made to do or say anything that is contrary to their core beliefs or morals.  The CIA tried to use hypnosis as a part of their experiments with mind control and interrogation after World War II.  These experiments were soon abandoned.  The reason was simple; the hypnosis experiments didn’t work!  It is impossible to get people to do something they really don’t want to do with hypnosis.  The CIA tried to use hypnosis to create assassins, amid fears that Communist regimes were using hypnosis on American Prisoners of War.  These experiments failed because people are not being controlled by another person in hypnosis.

2.  Is hypnosis un-Christian or Satanic?  NO!
There is only one denomination that has officially condemned hypnosis – the Jehovah Witnesses.  The Catholic Church and most mainline Protestant Churches have approved the use of hypnosis for medical and self-improvement purposes.  Many clergy use hypnosis in pastoral counseling.  Hypnosis is a natural state of mind and Christians believe God’s creation is good.  I believe that hypnosis is a God-given means to use our amazing human brain for good.

3.  What about stage hypnosis shows?  You’ll laugh out loud!
It was stage hypnosis that helped maintain the public’s interest in hypnosis for over 100 years.  At times when the scientific community ran after the latest fad in psychology, the hypnosis showmen kept hypnosis alive.
Stage hypnosis shows are real.  The key difference is that they are done purely for entertainment and not for therapy, so the kinds of suggestions will be very different from those used in clinical hypnosis.  Another important difference is the speed and depth of the trance.  The stage hypnotist has to work very quickly.  Also, the entertainers usually induce a deep trance, so they can induce phenomena such as amnesia.  Therefore, the stage hypnotist has to make sure to select the most suitable members of the audience for hypnosis.

Some clinical hypnotists believe stage shows trivialize hypnosis.  My personal view is just the opposite.  By witnessing the power of hypnosis on stage, members of the public are more likely to believe in the therapeutic effects of hypnosis.  I do stage shows and I always get new clients from them.

4.  Is hypnosis really scientifically accepted?  YES!

1955: Hypnosis is accepted by the British Medical Association
1958: Hypnosis is accepted by the American Medical Association

If you wish to give self-hypnosis an honest effort, use one of my self-help hypnosis packages to reduce weight, stop smoking or improve yourself emotionally, spiritually or in the area of personal success.

To take courses in hypnosis go to Mitchell Institute and consider my professional school of hypnosis.
Thanks for your interest.

www.mitchellinstitute.com     www.mitchellprogram.com  www.hypnoprogram.com

Source: William Mitchell M. Div., FAAIM, CH, CI
Founder/Managing Director