How does hypnosis work?
No one is sure exactly how hypnosis works, and there are a great many definitions of what hypnosis is. However, we do understand the general characteristics of hypnosis. Hypnosis is considered by many to be a trancelike state characterized by extreme suggestiblity, relaxation and heightened imagination. It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of "losing yourself" in a book or movie. Whilst in this state people are fully conscious, but tend to tune out most of the stimuli in their surroundings. Individuals in a hypnotic state focus intently on the subject at hand, to the near exclusion of any other activity.
Studies using an EEG (a machine that measures electrical activity of the brain) have demonstrated that brains produce different brain waves (rhythmn of electrical voltage) depending on an individual's mental state. Scientists have discovered that the brain waves of someone deeply asleep are different to that of someone dreaming. They have also discovered that the brainwaves of someone who is awake and alert are different from the same person who is in a state of relaxation
Studies using EEGs on subjects in a hypnotic state showed a boost in the lower frequency waves associated with dreaming and sleep, and a drop in the higher frequency waves associated with full wakefulness. Whislt brain-wave information is not a definitive indicator of how the mind is working, this pattern does fit the hypothesis that the conscious mind relaxes during hypnosis and the subcionscious mind takes a more active role.
Researchers have also studied patterns that occur, during hypnosis, in the cerebral cortex. Results of these studies show that hypnotic subjects have reduced activity in the left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, while activity in the right hemisphere often increased. Neurologists have long believed that the left hemisphere of the cortex is the logical control centre of the brain and that it operates on deduction, reasoning and convention. The right hemisphere, in contrast, controls imagination and creativity.
So you want to build your skills, but, try as you might you haven't yet succeeded. Do you believe you can tap into an inner strength? That something special deep inside you will help you achieve greater athletic performance?
Many professional athletic and sports teams and individuals use sports motivators. Some even use the power of hypnosis to increase athletic performance. You too can improve your athletic performance through hypnosis.
Fears and Phobias:
Fear is a problem when it interferes with your life. Some examples of fear are: fear of flying, fear of high places, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of poor performance (work, studies, home, etc), fear of death, fear of spiders, fear of dark places, fear of open or closed spaces.
Your fears may originate from hidden elements in your past, or current situations. These may cause an irrational belief which is deeply valued by you, yet affects your life in a negative way. However, some places or people you simply cannot avoid.
Hypnosis and counselling can help you face your fear. In some cases you may even use age regression to rationally overcome the deep rooted negative source. You may then bring your psyche back into balance in a safe and non threatening manner.
Weight Loss:
If you are reading this, chances are that you have already tried the willpower method for loosing weight and keeping it off.
Hypnosis is the tool that is utilised to get in contact with the subconscious mind. When the subconscious mind can imagine and accept that being slim and healthy is possible then the war for weight loss can be won.
Hypnosis for weight loss and weight control incorporates healthy eating and exercise habits. An effective hypnotherapy program also focuses on what, when and why people eat unhealthy and fattening food and drink.During hypnosis, appropriate and acceptable suggestions are made for the person to automatically follow a healthy lifestyle and achieve weight loss.
Hypnosis for weight loss and weight control is an excellent way of discovering why the individual has put on weight, what is preventing weight loss and building self esteem.
There are many reasons that people eat too much of the wrong food. Consider the following and ask yourself which of these may apply to you.
- Eating to compensate for boredom, loneliness, lack of love.
- Using food as a reward.
- Skipping meals and becomming so hungry that it is impossible to control what or how much is eaten.
- Overeating and staying overweight as a protection.
- Always being in a hurry and eating the wrong kinds of food.
- Being unaware of what a healthy lifestyle is.
- Thinking that one should always finish what is on the plate.
Stress:
The first indication that stress was not just a nuisance resulted in research in the early 1900s, when Walter Cannon discovered that whenever people feel threatened, the body rushes to raise blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and breathing (fight or flight).
Sixty years later, in the same laboratory used by Cannon, Dr. Herbert Benson discovered the antidote to stress: he called it the "relaxation response."
At first, Benson was weary of what his Harvard colleagues would think of his beliefs and so he secretly taught transcendental meditation to people who were suffering from stress. He discovered that just by practicing relaxation techniques they could dramatically alter body functions. Breathing slowed by 25 percent, oxygen consumption declined by 17 percent, blood pressure fell and heart rate slowed.
Further studies showed that it wasn't just meditation that reduced stress. Deep breathing; progressive muscle relaxation, hypnosis, guided imagery, prayer and other techniques could also reduce stress.
Your hypnotherapist can not only help you relieve the symptoms of stress, they can also help you deal with the source of the stress. Your therapist will also teach you skills that you can use whenever you feel stressed.
Stop smoking:
What is your reason for stop smoking? Health? Economics? Inconvenience? Social Stigma? Whatever your reason, hypnosis can help you stop smoking.
Many people have tried to stop smoking at some time. They have tried will power, chewing gum, patches and pills. For some people these things may have worked. The rest of the people just gave up and kept on smoking.
The truth is that most people find it hard to give up something that they think they need or enjoy. They see stop smoking as having something taken away from them. Hypnosis is a tool that hypnotherapists use to change the mental attitude of an individual towards smoking.
The strategy a hypnotist uses is to have the individual's subconscious accept the suggestion that they are giving up something that isn't wanted, and taking up something that everyone wants -good health.
Everyone has a different reason to stop smoking. Hypnosis sessions and suggestions are designed to suit the client.
Some people choose to stop smoking after one hypnosis session. Others may like to stop smoking over a couple of hypnosis sessions. Those who have given up after using hypnosis report how easy it seemed to give up. Everyone mentions how wonderful it is to feel and look healthy and have clean breath.
In 1945, 72% of Australian men smoked.
In 2001, only 21.1% of Australian adult males smoked. In 1945, 26% of Australian women smoked. In 2001, only 18% of Australian women smoked.
It has been estimated that in 1998/99 the total costs of tobacco use in Australia was $21.1 billion.
Smoking caused the deaths of 19,429 Australians in 1998-1999. This is equal to 53 preventable deaths every day.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to be one of those healthy self-confident people who are no longer smoking.
Pain:What we know about pain.
- Chronic or recurring pain afflicts one in five adults.
- Approximately one and a half billion people suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain worldwide and approximately 50 million Americans suffer with pain.
- There are approximately 3.5 - 6 million cancer pain sufferers (WHO)
- Chronic pain affects everyday activities, social function and quality of life.
- Chronic pain carries great economic cost- direct and indirect.
- Acute pain is a major problem after surgery and trauma.
- Joint Commission Association of Health Care Organisations (JCAHCO) has now included pain as the 5th vital sign (other signs being blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature).
Research into the use of hypnosis for pain and accompanying anxiety has shown that using hypnosis helps moderate and even obliterate, pain and reduces anxiety. More and more research is showing the positive effects of hypnosis in such areas as: cancer, various injuries, burns, dentistry, childbirth, medical procedures, arthritic joint pain, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnosis is safe and, when utilised by a trained professional hypnotist, has no side effects.
NIH research supports the use of hypnosis for pain and sleep.
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