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Hypnosis
"Look me in the eye..."
If hypnosis makes you think of Kaa the snake from The Jungle Book, this article should alter your perspective!
Welcome to an exciting excursion into the world of hypnosis, where myths and facts interweave to form a fascinating mosaic. "Hypnosis" – the word alone conjures up images of swinging pendulums and men in top hats whispering "You're feeling very sleepy". But don't worry, there are neither magic wands nor supernatural powers in this article. Instead, we offer a grounded exploration of the secrets and potential of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a topic that sparks plenty of curiosity. Does it really work, or is it just mumbo-jumbo? Can hypnosis help me overcome my fear of spiders, or will I end up flapping around the room like a chicken? By the end of this news article, you'll be able to distinguish the myths from the facts. So, let's dive in!
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focused attention that makes it possible to alter the conscious mind and address the subconscious directly. In this state, people become particularly receptive to suggestions that can be used to modify behaviour, manage stress or support therapeutic goals. Often described as a trance, hypnosis involves filtering out external distractions and focusing entirely on inner images or thoughts.
There are three main phases in a typical hypnosis session: induction, deepening and the trance state. Firstly, a state of deep relaxation is achieved during induction. This is followed by deepening, in which you focus more and more on your inner experience. Finally, you reach the trance state, in which both your conscious and subconscious mind are open to positive change.
Hypnosis addresses both the conscious and subconscious mind. This means that you can develop new patterns of thought and behaviour while in a state of deep relaxation. Think of it as working on an inner construction site, where hypnosis acts as your architect, helping you redesign and reshape your mental framework.
Scientific foundations: Is hypnosis effective?
The scientific foundations of hypnosis are now well-established, demonstrating that it is an altered state of consciousness with measurable effects on both the brain and behaviour. Studies have shown that during hypnosis, certain areas of the brain are activated in a specific way, particularly those associated with attention, imagination and self-perception. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for focusing attention, plays a key role here. Hypnotised people exhibit increased connectivity between the brain regions responsible for regulating thoughts and emotions, with diminished activity in the areas linked to external awareness. Scientific acceptance of hypnosis as a serious therapeutic method continues to grow, and modern imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are providing increasingly detailed insights into how hypnosis affects the brain.
What is hypnosis used for?
Hypnosis is used in a variety of ways to promote health and can help to improve physical and mental well-being. It has proven particularly effective for smoking cessation and weight loss, helping individuals break unhealthy behaviour patterns and strengthen their motivation for a healthier lifestyle. Hypnosis is also effective in reducing stress, as it promotes relaxation techniques and raises awareness of stress-inducing factors. When dealing with anxiety, for example in the form of phobias or social anxiety, hypnosis helps individuals to overcome deep-seated fears and react more calmly to stressful situations. Hypnosis is also used to relieve pain, including management of chronic pain and preparation for medical procedures. In these cases, hypnosis can help patients control their pain and reduce their perception of it, often resulting in a lower need for medication and faster recovery. These varied applications show how hypnosis can be used as a gentle and effective method to promote health and support other therapeutic approaches.
Misconceptions and myths about hypnosis
Hypnosis is a fascinating subject, but one that is often clouded by numerous misunderstandings and myths. These misunderstandings are frequently reinforced by media portrayals and stage hypnosis, which creates a false perception of this therapeutic method. In this section, we aim to dispel some of the most common myths about hypnosis and shed some light on the facts behind them.
Myth 1: Hypnosis leads to loss of control
One of the most widespread misconceptions is the idea that you lose control of your thoughts and actions while under hypnosis. Many people assume that during hypnosis they are completely disconnected from their surroundings and cannot remember anything afterwards.
Fact: The truth is that during a hypnosis session, you retain full control over your own decisions. Hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness, but rather a state of deep relaxation and focused attention. Hypnotised people can make their own decisions at any time and are not forced to do anything that contradicts their moral or ethical values. Studies even show that your mindset, i.e. your belief about whether you are in control or not, actually influences how much control you feel under hypnosis. If you are convinced that you are in control, you will also experience this under hypnosis.
Myth 2: The hypnotist can manipulate me or force me into undesirable behaviour
Another common misconception is that the hypnotist holds absolute power over the client and can force them to perform actions or make statements that they would reject in a waking state.
Fact: In reality, people can resist the hypnotist's suggestions. Suggestions are only accepted if they are perceived as helpful and appropriate. The hypnotist merely offers suggestions and it is up to the hypnotised person to accept or reject them. Therefore, the notion that hypnosis makes you weak-willed is, quite simply, false.
Myth 3: Hypnosis is only for the weak
Some believe that hypnosis only works on those who are mentally unstable, easily manipulated or particularly obedient. This leads to the misconception that only individuals with weak willpower can be hypnotised.
Fact: Hypnosis works on most people who are prepared to accept it. The ability to go into a trance (hypnotisability) and the susceptibility to suggestions (suggestibility) depend on various biological and psychological factors. These include structural connectivity in the brain, certain brain states, personal attitudes towards hypnosis and the ability to use imagination. Hypnotisability is therefore not a sign of weakness, but rather a natural human ability that is influenced by individual factors. In addition, the relationship between the hypnotist and client, as well as the surrounding environment, both play a role in the success of hypnosis.
Myth 4: Hypnosis is just a show and not a serious therapy method
Stage hypnosis, in which people typically do the craziest things seemingly without volition, often gives the impression that hypnosis is nothing more than entertainment with no serious therapeutic value.
Fact: Hypnosis has been recognised as a legitimate therapeutic method for decades. It has long been used in psychotherapy in the USA and the UK, and hypnosis was also recognised as a scientific treatment method in Germany in 2006. Hypnosis has proven to be effective for smoking cessation, weight loss, stress reduction, anxiety management and pain relief. It can also complement other forms of therapy, enhancing their effectiveness. In medical contexts, hypnosis is even used to keep patients relaxed and pain-free during treatments – in extreme cases, it can be used as a substitute for anaesthesia.
Myth 5: Hypnosis can cause permanent damage
Many people worry that hypnosis could cause permanent harm. Often, they fear that the hypnotist could manipulate their thoughts or that their memories will be erased or altered.
Fact: In rare cases, hypnosis may cause mild side effects such as headaches, tiredness, dizziness or nausea, but these usually disappear quickly. Severe side effects, such as the reactivation of traumatic memories or seizures, occur extremely rarely and are usually associated with unprofessional stage hypnosis. For this reason, it's essential for hypnosis to be conducted by trained specialists in a professional setting. As long as this is the case, there is no reason to worry that hypnosis could cause permanent damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hypnosis is far more than the clichéd portrayals often seen in the media. Thanks to scientific research, we now know that hypnosis is an actual state of altered consciousness that has demonstrable effects on the brain and behaviour. Its wide range of applications, from smoking cessation to stress management, show how hypnosis can be used as an effective and supportive therapy. The myths and misconceptions about hypnosis – such as the idea that subjects lose control or are forced into undesirable behaviour – are largely unfounded. Hypnosis requires both willingness and openness and, under professional guidance, it can be a valuable addition to other forms of therapy. For these reasons, it's important to look beyond the myths and examine the actual possibilities and limitations of this fascinating technique.
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References:
- Alexandra. (2024, 19 March). Die Wahrheit hinter den 5 häufigsten Mythen über Hypnose - NEURES Akademie. NEURES Academy.https://neures.de/blog/hypnose-mythen/
- Burkhard, P. (2024). Hypnosis in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine. A brief overview. Frontiers in Psychology, 15.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1377900
- Hypnose: In Trance Trauma, Phobie und Schmerz bekämpfen. (n.d.). [Video]. Play SRF. https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/einstein/video/hypnose-in-trance-trauma-phobie-und-schmerz-bekaempfen?urn=urn:srf:video:53718410-2948-4dc4-ae13-4344f3c96f28
- Hypnosetherapie Schmerzzentrum | Kantonsspital St.Gallen. (n.d.). Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen. https://www.kssg.ch/schmerzzentrum/leistungsangebot/medizinische-hypnosetherapie
- Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T. & Haddenhorst, A. (2024). Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238
- Was ist Hypnose – SMSH. (n.d.). https://smsh.ch/was-ist-hypnose/
