Myths About Hypnosis

As much as there is a lot of information about hypnosis available, there are also a large number of myths still in regular circulation about hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

Many people hesitate to use hypnotherapy to help them move through their problems as they believe some of the common myths that are currently in circulation regarding hypnosis. Primary among those false beliefs is the thought that the patient hands over control during hypnotherapy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In hypnotherapy, the patient remains in full control throughout the entire session, whether hypnotized or not. The patient is always capable of choosing whether or not s/he will talk, and may even stand up and leave if s/he wants to. Furthermore, a hypnotized person cannot be made to do anything that is against their religious beliefs, nor their moral or ethical judgment.

Keep in mind that there is a large difference between stage hypnosis, the type of hypnosis performed by hypnotists in acts for entertainment and hypnotherapy. In stage hypnosis, participants are commonly made to do many different foolish things. However, this remains an entirely voluntary process, as their permission was given to the hypnotist when they chose to be hypnotized. However, this is not the way hypnotherapy functions, nor does it include the same techniques or goals.

In hypnotherapy, a rapport is formed with the hypnotherapist, and the patient cannot at any point be made to do, say, or feel anything simply because the therapist commanded it. The patient can always choose whether to accept or reject a suggestion made by the therapist, and is even able to decide when to come back out of the hypnotic trance.

The following should help to dispel the four main myths about hypnosis, and help you to build a better understanding of what the therapy is truly about.

Myth #1: Hypnosis only works on the weak-minded

Hypnosis isn't limited to only a small group of people with certain mental abilities or lack thereof. Instead, it is something open to everyone. Actually, everybody uses hypnosis on some level every day, consciously or unconsciously.

When you use your imagination, this is one form of trance-like hypnosis, as is every time our emotions are engaged, and when our attention is intensely focused on a topic within our experience.

The purpose of a session in hypnosis is to successfully plant the seed for a desired result into the subconscious mind where it will grow and blossom into a conscious activity.

When we limit ourselves in the ways that we will allow ourselves to attempt to reach a desired outcome such as healing or self improvement then we limit the potential of our results. On the other hand, the more options to which we remain open, the greater we empower ourselves for reaching our potential.

Those whom are the easiest to hypnotize are those with the greatest imagination and who are the most capable of concentrating on their goal. This means that those who are still able to pretend and say "what if" and behave as though their wishes may one day come true, are those who are most ready to benefit from hypnotherapy.

Myth #2: When you're hypnotized, the hypnotist can make you do anything

Hypnotists aren't brainwashers. And hypnosis isn't limited only to hypnotists. Some may simply be people with a skill in language, those who can zero in on the imagination of another, or people who can project authority within a specific context. The first hypnotists in our lives, in fact, are typically our parents, even if the hypnosis was brought about unknowingly.

A hypnotist whether knowingly or unknowingly playing an authoritarian role does indeed have power over you, but only as much as you allow them. Indeed, the hypnotist may use instructional words, such as to close your eyes and focus on the hypnotist's voice, however it is entirely you choice whether you will accept and respond to these suggestions. Hypnotists may also make an appeal to your imagination, your emotions, or a statement of encouragement or warning of unfortunate consequence, but again, you are in control.

Whether you are sitting with a hypnotist, listening to the recording of a hypnotist, or receiving information from some other authority, it is always up to you whether the statements you receive in a hypnotic state will be accepted or rejected. Therefore, it is now the common belief that all hypnosis is, ultimately, self-hypnosis as it is the patient who remains in control at all times.

When it comes to hypnotherapy, the hypnotist's role is simply to open a communication with the patient's subconscious to help the patient to overcome his or her own obstacles and achieve the desired outcomes. A hypnotist is only capable of taking you as far as you want to go, and can only do as much as you would actually be able to do yourself should you take the time to learn and practice self-hypnosis. A skilled and experienced hypnotist can be very helpful because of the training and practice s/he has had in several beneficial techniques, but the power remains in the mind of the patient, and cannot be taken away no matter how capable the hypnotist may be.

Myth #3: If you are able to hear the hypnotist, you are not actually hypnotized

Many people believe that being hypnotized takes away a person's awareness of everything going on around them. However, this cannot be true; after all, if the patient couldn't hear the hypnotist, how could instructions be followed?

Indeed a certain degree of the awareness of your surroundings is shifted, so that the primary focus is on the hypnotist and his or her voice. It is up to the patient how aware s/he may be of his or her surroundings. The greater the involvement in the hypnosis, the lower the focus on the surroundings will be. This is why hypnosis is frequently called an altered reality. Within this alternate version of reality, the awareness of the hypnotist may be changed so that s/he is interpreted as being someone else altogether, however, the awareness of the hypnotist's voice will remain throughout.

Myth #4: It is possible to get stuck in a hypnotic state forever

This has never happened. However, there have been some patients who have enjoyed the feeling of hypnosis so greatly that they have chosen to delay their return to the awake state as they didn't want to leave. The sensation of being hypnotized is very appealing as it extremely relaxing in both body and mind, without any of the stresses that you associate with your every day life. Furthermore, while in this state, you may remember all of your favorite dreams and best memories, as well as your most secret desires, vividly and filled with sensation. For many people, this is the first time that they can experience complete freedom, a sensation of happiness and inner peace, and absolute calm and control.

During hypnosis, the body releases endorphins, the pleasure hormones, making you feel very good. In fact, the deeper your hypnotic trance, the better you will feel. However, once the session ends, you are requested to leave this state of sheer happiness, and some people may return more slowly than others. Even if a hypnotist were to forget to bring you out of the hypnotic state, in most cases you would normally and naturally fall out of hypnosis in a matter of minutes or hours.