About Hypnosis: FAQ and More Info.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis - FAQ

• Can anyone be hypnotized? - Yes, anyone can be hypnotized as long as they want to be. A hypnotherapist cannot force anyone to go into hypnosis against their will. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
  
  
• Is it hard to be hypnotized? - Actually, hypnosis is a natural state of mind and you enter some form of hypnosis several times a day. i.e. reading, watching T.V., before falling asleep and daydreaming.
  
  
• Will I be unconscious or lose control? - No. You remain in control at all times. The hypnotherapist does not have control over you and if you decide to come out of hypnosis, you will be able to.
  
  
• Will I know what is happening? - Yes, in fact you will be even more aware of what is happening. Although your eyes are closed your other senses will increase in their awareness and sensitivity.
  
  
• Are there any known dangers associated with hypnosis? - In over two hundred years of recorded hypnosis history, there is no documented case of anyone being hurt with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in positive ways. If anyone tries to give you suggestions against your morals, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about, you could instantly emerge from the state of relaxation on your own.
  
  
• Can Hypnosis hurt you? - In a 1958 policy statement the AMA (American Medical Association) recognized hypnosis as a safe and effective treatment modality for a wide range of medical and behavioural problems.

When you are you are in hypnosis...

• You will not give away any secrets
• Your eyes are closed but you are fully awake, only your body is very calm and relaxed
• You can think clearly and find it easier to make decisions
• You are in a heightened and focused state of awareness
• Your five senses are enhanced i.e. you can hear better
• You are alert and aware of everything going on around you
• You can come out of hypnosis on your own, at any time
• You won't lose control of your body and you can still move, however your movements will be a little slower
• You are not under control of the hypnotherapist and will not do anything against your morals or values

More Information About Hypnosis

As long as there has been humans, there has been hypnosis. Hypnosis is actually a state of consciousness we enter into and leave quite naturally during our day-to-day experiences.

Did you know that you have already been hypnotized thousands of times in your life? In fact, when you daydream, space out during a meeting or in a classroom, find yourself absorbed in a TV program, or lose yourself in a good book, you are in a hypnotic state.

Hypnosis is a commonly occurring, natural state of mind and is generally characterized by the following:

1. a slowing down of the thinking, rational, conscious or outer mind
2. an experience of inward focused concentration
3. a greater access to the subconscious or inner mind
4. an increased receptivity to "agreeable" suggestions

Hypnosis is similar to day dreaming or the state between sleeping and waking. In this relaxed state your brain wave vibration rate slows down (known as the alpha state), giving you direct access to your subconscious or inner mind - when you are in hypnosis, you are more open to positive suggestions.

Your conscious or outer mind is still completely aware of what is going on the whole time but in this state, it takes a back seat to your subconscious mind - the subconscious or inner mind is 88% more alert when you are in hypnosis.

Hypnosis uses an everyday human process (state of mind) to change unwanted, negative or destructive patterns into positive patterns of behaviour and/or thought. Advertisers understand the power of hypnosis - they use television programs to induce a hypnotic state and then provide you with hypnotic suggestions, called commercials!

Another common example of this naturally occurring state of mind is when you are driving down the road with your mind focused on something else (perhaps thinking about your day), and next thing you know, you've passed your turn off.

Now you know more about hypnosis and that you have been in hypnosis many, many times. You did it automatically when you were daydreaming and missed a turn - you have been hypnotized when you enjoyed a television program, and followed hypnotic suggestions when you considered buying a product or service that was featured over and over on television. So each of us has already experienced hypnosis by accident or intentionally.