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Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Not everyone accepts hypnosis and hypnotherapy as part of mainstream
medicine. However, research indicates that hypnosis can be a beneficial form
of therapy. It appears that hypnosis can be of help with many of the
issues faced by holistic healthcare providers. There is now evidence that
hypnosis and self hypnosis can help people to overcome problems and
achieve certain goals for their lifestyle and health. Studies indicate
that hypnotherapy can be used to help people stop over-eating , quit
smoking, reduce drinking, and stop gambling.
You might wonder how hypnosis works. Well, the truth is, we are not quite
sure. We do know that hypnosis places the person into a relaxed, but alert
state. Current theorizing suggests that the mental state induced by
hypnosis allows the subconscious mind to take a more active role in
controlling overt behaviors.
 Normally, we are not aware of the subconscious. But, it is a key part of
our mind. It controls the many automatic behaviors we need to live and
function. And, when a new behavior becomes well-learned it is taken over
by the subconscious. At the same time, the subconscious is in touch with
all the knowledge and information we have acquired over time. It is in the
subconscious that plans and goals are formulated. It up to the conscious
mind to logically evaluate these plans and act on them. The deep
relaxation produced during a hypnotic state seems to reduce the control of
the conscious mind and allows the subconscious to take a more direct role
in controlling behavior.
Whether our theorizing about consciousness is true or not, we do know that
hypnosis alters brain functioning, somewhat. This alteration is reflected
in a change in the electrical activity of the brain. According to EEG
recordings, the hypnotic state is accompanied by an increase in the lower
frequency waves, often associated with sleeping, along with a decrease in
higher frequency brain waves. At the same time, the right side of the
brain becomes relatively more active than the left side.
In order for hypnosis to work, the person has to want to stop problem
behaviors and fears in the first place. Normally, you may not be able to
overcome the struggle that comes with quitting the addiction, or you might
not even be able to admit you have an addiction. But you do need to be
able to say or think “I want to stop smoking” or whatever the issue is in
order for hypnosis to help. With the help of a qualified hypnotist, many
people have found relief for long-standing problems. The list of problems
that have been treated though various types of hypnotherapy include
chronic pain, irrational fears, and addictions.
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