Hypnosis, a trip to Trance-ylvania

I quickly began trying to hypnotize my friends, with some success. I was able to get my friend Margaret to become immobilized when I used a "trigger word" to elicit that response. During hypnosis, the hypnotist can say a word that will cause a predetermined response after the person is awakened from his or her hypnotic state. I almost got another friend, Mary, to kiss a neighbor boy, but although she told me later she had a very strong urge to kiss him, she resisted it. Just goes to show that you *can* resist a hypnotist's direction.

Through the years, I have remained interested in hypnosis and, in particular, self-hypnosis. I have numerous CDs for help with a various array of conditions or situations.

I've also found a few *very* interesting courses for those who would like to learn how to hypnotize people -- without them even knowing it! You might want to check out this: Conversational Hypnosis. Quite the amazing informational page, saying you can learn to hypnotize people on the sly -- even without YOU knowing you're doing it! (Your subconscious mind is an amazing thing!) Check it out: Conversational Hypnosis.

Also, I found something called Underground Hypnosis. Same idea. But after reading both websites, I'm not sure this one is quite as effective as the Conversational Hypnosis course. But it's worth taking a look. Check it out here: Underground Hypnosis.  

History and mystery

Hypnosis has a long history going back to the 1700s. Franz Anton Mesmer, an Austrian physician, used the power of suggestion to cure illnesses. Although he was eventually discredited, others after him continued to "mesmerize" people using his techniques.  

James Braid, a Scottish physician, coined the term "hypnosis," from the Greek word for sleep (ypnos). Braid believed that the technique could be used in surgery as an anesthetic. Physicians, dentists and psychologists still use hypnosis for pain control.  

There are two schools of thought regarding the theory of hypnosis. Some believe altered brain activity, or an altered state of consciousness, is a core part of hypnosis. Non-state theorists believe the hypnotic experience is more about focused attention and expectation. Without a precise definition of what constitutes an altered state, it's difficult to come to a conclusion about what hypnosis actually is.  

Modern brain-imaging techniques may soon resolve the controversy between the "state" and "non-state" theorists, as the technology is growing rapidly. The American Psychological Association is neutral about the topic.  

One definition of hypnosis has to do with the brainwave patterns discussed earlier on this site. It states that the brainwave pattern most conducive to working on issues such as smoking cessation, weight management, reducing phobias, improving athletic performance, etc., is the alpha state. The alpha state is commonly associated with relaxation, concentration and daydreaming.

Another physiological definition states that the theta state is required for therapeutic change. The theta state is associated with hypnoanesthesia (the use of hypnosis to numb sensation of pain), and hypnoanalgesia (the use of hypnosis to decrease sensitivity to pain), which occur more readily in the theta and delta states. This is the type of hypnosis used by doctors for use in surgery.

But it could also be said that reading, watching movies and meditating may be also forms of hypnosis. In fact, perhaps one of the best ways to look at hypnosis is as a guided meditation session with a particular goal in mind.

Whatever works ...

I have used many hypnosis CDs over the years. I won't go into the various maladies and neuroses I've worked on curing, but I have definitely benefitted from the use of these recordings.

They're not a quick fix, but one certainly can't argue that they're difficult. Sitting and relaxing and concentrating on soothing words can hardly be thought of as strenuous. But finding the time to actually stick to a daily regimen of listening can be a challenge.

Although I have heard of people who have quit smoking, for example, after one session with a professional hypnotist (even in a group setting), most hypnotherapists on CD recordings recommend a commitment of listening daily to one or more sessions for a week or two.