Does hypnosis work? Simple answer is yes. Although it depends on a couple of factors. Nothing too hard though
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation that you allow yourself to enter. It’s in this state of concentration and focused attention you can:
- talk and think your way out of thoughts and situations that hurt you
- teach yourself not to smoke - think of it as nothing to do with you
- become a better sports person: se yourself achieving even more
- dial down life’s stresses and anxieties
- stop phobias - flying, heights, spiders, needles, dentist, animals.
Hypnosis allows you to be more open to suggestion. To make healthy changes to your thoughts, sensations, emotions, memories, thought and behaviours.
Can you actually be hypnotised?
Simple answer. Yes. 99% of people can. It’s not really a case of can you, but to what extent and depth. And you determine that. Remember that throughout the process of being hypnotised you are in control, so you determine how much it works for you.
Does hypnosis work in real life?
Yes. In fact you’ve already hypnotised yourself many time throughout your life.
Five times you hypnotise yourself and didn’t even realise it.
1. You drive somewhere and don’t remember the journey that got you to your destination. In effect you’ve focused your attention on driving not sight seeing.
2. It’s daylight. You start reading a book. Next time you look up it’s dark. You’ve relaxed and focused on - ‘lost yourself’ - in the story rather than notice the change in light.
3. It’s daylight. You start watching, say, a Netflix series. Next time you look up it’s dark. You’ve relaxed and focused on - ‘lost yourself’ - in the story rather than notice the change in light.
4. When you day dream and ‘drift away’.
5. You’re ‘in the zone’ when you play sport. For example, when you play tennis. You’re not thinking about who’s watching, your opponent, the net, the umpire, winning the point. You’re simply focused on hitting the ball a sweetly as possible.
What is the success rate of hypnosis?
In most cases, most of the time, hypnosis will make a positive difference. But from my point of view it depends on one simple factor how well you (the client) and me (the hypnotherapist) get on. You trust me. The bond we form. In technical terms it’s called the therapeutic alliance. Basically with a strong bond between us we can dial down most things at the very least, usually totally walk away from a hurtful thought and leave it with no meaning, just as a past learning.
Is there any science behind hypnosis?
Yes. Lots.
Also increasingly more and more of the medical world are using hypnosis.
Does hypnosis work? Look at some of the statistics.
1. There are effective rates as high as 93%
2. Pain can be reduced by 73%
3. A review of studies in the International Journal of Obesity found hypnosis helped 90% of subjects lose and keep off more weight than other methods.
4. Studies from Harvard Medical School show that hypnosis helps you heal eaters from a fracture.
Can hypnosis go wrong?
Most commonly when you’re hypnotised you might feel a sense of dizziness or drowsiness especially the first time as you’re unused to the process. That’s it for most people.
Although if you know you have a serious mental illness and are under psychiatric care then it’s more then it’s almost certainly not for you.
Ten more frequently asked questions about does hypnosis work?
(1). Will I still be in control?
Yes. You’re always in control. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy only work with your agreement.
(2). Am I giving up my free will?
No. This isn’t mind control. It’s simply you agreeing to be calm and talk yourself out of the bad habits you’ve fallen into.
(3). Can I be hypnotised without my consent?
No. I need you’re agreement or there’s no progress.
(4). What happens if I can’t come out of hypnosis?
You can always come out of hypnosis. You choose when it starts and ends.
(5). Can I hypnotise myself?
Yes. And I can teach you how.
(6). Does hypnosis work on children?
It can work wonderfully well. Children and young people have great imaginations. They can use this skill almost like a superpower to get them to a better place.
(7). How many problems can I deal with at once using hypnosis?
One at a time. Any more than that dilutes the beneficial effect.
(8). Is hypnosis new age woo woo rubbish?
Hypnosis can be seen as lots of things. Somewhat alternative. Or lads on a stag weekend dancing the funky chicken and eating raw onions. By my training I’m at the clinical end. It’s endorsed by the NHS and verified by universities such as Harvard and Stanford.
(9). Do I need to see a Hypnotherapist more than once?
How many sessions you need depends on the depth of the challenge you face and the number.
(10). Is hypnosis safe?
On the whole, yes. As mentioned earlier you might feel a sense of dizziness or drowsiness especially your first hypnosis session. And it’s best avoided if you know you have a serious mental illness and/or are under psychiatric care.
What makes hypnosis work?
To answer the question, does hypnosis work? Means looking at the science of hypnosis and admitting that how hypnosis works isn’t completely understood. However, the current level of understanding is that hypnosis:
- Calms your conscious mind.
- Lets you tap easily into the part of your brain where your thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions, memory and behaviours originate.
- Makes you open to suggestion from your hypnotherapist to help you change your unconscious thoughts for the better.
What’s the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
One (hypnosis) is a technique the other (hypnotherapy) is a way of healing using hypnosis.
This is what I mean. With hypnosis I can get you in a relaxed state. Once there we can look at what’s troubling you and dial down/take away any meaning from something that’s bothering you. That’s the ‘therapy’ bit. The word therapy means treatment to relieve or heal a disorder. And in this context, quite simply, we’re calming down a mental condition by talking you out of it.
Convincing yourself that you are not your thoughts.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy?
When I’m asked does hypnosis work? I answer in the way I best understand. Combining hypnosis with CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy. CBT looks at your thoughts, feelings and how you act/behave. And if you’re acting against your best interests CBT is a way to get you thinking, feeling and acting in a way that’s kinder to yourself. And I believe the best way to bridge that gap is using hypnosis. Doing things calmly and gently in effect.
Me, the author of this article, I’m Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist.
I’m James Thomas. A Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist by training.
I call myself The Gentle Mind because I believe that when you’re calm (hypnosis) you can be a better version of yourself. And that ‘better version is something you decide:
Slimmer
Non-smoker
A faster athlete
Less stressed
More self-esteem
Not afraid to fly/of spiders/of needles.
Feel free to call me on 07787563099 or email me at jamesthomas@thegentlemind.co.uk
