Have you ever felt a bit unsure about trying hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis has been a topic of interest and intrigue for centuries. Once thought of as a form of magic or mind control, it is now recognised as a legitimate therapeutic tool that can be used to treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions. In this article, we'll explore some surprising facts about hypnosis.

1. Some anaesthetists use hypnosis

Firstly, a lot of anaesthetists now use hypnosis in conjunction with modern medicine, calling it “hypnosedation”. They have found that by reducing the amount of analgesics, and instead using hypnosis, this can reduce recovery times significantly. The theory behind medical hypnosis for surgery is that the brain and nervous system can't necessarily distinguish an imagined situation from a real one.

In fact before the advent of modern anaesthetics, hypnosis was reportedly widely used by anaesthetists during surgical procedures, you would have been lucky to get hypnosis before they amputated a limb! With the invention of modern anaesthetics, the use of hypnosis dropped off. But as with many things, it has made somewhat of a comeback because many modern-thinking clinicians see the benefits of using the mind to help the body.

Repeated studies show that hypnosis can be used to induce a state of deep relaxation and reduce the patient's perception of pain. While chemicals are still most commonly used today, some studies have shown that hypnosis can still be effective after surgery to reduce anxiety and increase healing associated with the operation.

2. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not something that is done to you by a hypnotist. You have to be an active participant so that you can’t be made to do something against your will. Rather, it is a self-induced state of deep relaxation.

The hypnotist serves as a guide to help the individual access this state, but ultimately it is up to the individual to allow themselves to enter into the hypnotic state. This means that everyone has the ability to experience hypnosis, as long as they are willing to let go and relax. That's not to say you have to be able to relax completely, you don’t, you just have to want it to help.

3. Hypnosis induces a deep state of relaxation

You will probably feel the most relaxed you have been for a long time, if not ever! Hypnotherapy is the perfect way to induce a state of deep relaxation. In fact, this is one of the key components of hypnotherapy.

This relaxation can be incredibly beneficial for both physical and mental health. When we are in a state of deep relaxation, our body is able to heal and repair itself more efficiently using the placebo effect. Additionally, deep relaxation can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and promote feelings of well-being.

4. Science supports hypnosis

There is a ton of scientific data to back up the effectiveness of hypnosis. It is no longer just a pseudoscientific practice with no empirical evidence to support its use. In fact, there is a growing body of scientific research that supports the effectiveness of hypnosis in treating a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.

These studies have shown that hypnosis can be effective in reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, improving sleep, and even enhancing athletic performance. There are other studies that support hypnotherapy for aiding with weight loss and sexual dysfunction for men and women.

5. Hypnosis utilises different parts of your brain than in a normal conscious state

With the use of modern brain imaging techniques, we can now get a window into the workings of our brain and see that when we are in a hypnotic state, our brain activity shifts to different regions of the brain than in a normal waking state. This altered brain activity can help to explain some of the unique effects of hypnosis, such as reduced perception of pain. 

6. You can hypnotise yourself

Lots of successful people do it in various guises, they might call it manifesting, visualising, focusing on their goals. These are often the same as self-hypnosis. Of course, that's not to say you can actually do hypnotherapy on yourself. That requires a trained, registered professional who knows how to use a hypnotic state such as those found in the Hypnotherapy Directory.

Self-hypnosis can be used for a variety of purposes, such as reducing stress, improving sleep, or enhancing focus and motivation. While it may not be as effective as working with a trained hypnotherapist, self-hypnosis can be a useful tool for managing a wide range of more minor issues.

In conclusion, hypnosis is a fascinating and effective tool that can be used to treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions. From inducing deep relaxation to reducing pain and anxiety, hypnosis has been shown to have a wide range of benefits.

While it was once thought of as a form of magic or mind control, hypnosis is now recognised as a legitimate therapeutic tool with a growing body of scientific research to back up its effectiveness.