What Are Hypnosis and Hypnotism

 

HYPNOTISM is the induction of hypnosis or hypnotic trance, in other words, helping
someone to experience hypnosis. This is normally achieved by giving them a series of
simple suggestions or instructions. If the client follows these instructions accurately, they
will achieve the experience of hypnosis. Following the induction of hypnosis, the hypnotic
trance is then “deepened”, typically by further suggestions or instructions along the same
lines. There are hundreds of hypnotic techniques. The quickest methods are used by
stage hypnotists, but of course they work only with a few easily hypnotised persons
whom they have selected from the audience. See “Hypnosis Fact and Fiction” for more on
Stage Hypnotism.

HYPNOSIS is generally explained as a state in which the hypnotist is speaking directly to
the client’s subconscious mind, which has capabilities beyond what the conscious mind
can normally achieve. There are alternative explanations- a detailed discussion can be
found in the Wikipedia article on Hypnosis. However scientists define hypnosis, it is easily
recognised. The hypnotised person is physically relaxed, and can remain motionless for
much longer than would be physically possible normally. They may even feel as if they
cannot move- although they could move if they really needed to. They can focus on small
sensations that they would not notice normally, or ignore sensations such as pain that
would normally dominate their mind.

They can remember things very clearly- although like all memories these are reconstructed each time they are remembered, and must not be seen as a perfect recording like a video. They can also forget things- although the information will not be permanently erased. The sense of time passing is distorted, and the person can imagine anything suggested to them very vividly. They can experience their own thoughts and feelings as separate from themselves, and therefore easier to alter and control. All these features of hypnosis can be explained as forms of “selective attention”. See “How Does Hypnotherapy Work?” to learn how these features of hypnosis are used to help clients. And click HERE to watch a video of a woman describing her own experience of hypnotherapy.