Hypnosis and its subset, hypnotherapy, have always been mired in misconceptions. Some regard them to be black magic whereas others reject them as pseudo science. Provided below are some general beliefs associated with hypnosis, and the real facts behind them.
Hypnosis has no link with any sort of mystical arts. Psychology and the other sciences have a crucial role to play in the hypnotic method, and it is very easy to imbibe and practice. The genuineness of hypnosis is suspected even by individuals who have seen it working on subjects. They argue that those who can be hypnotized are mentally not strong enough. But that is simply not the truth. Even people with strong will power can fall under the spell of a specialist hypnosis practitioner.
Another myth is that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which again is a big misconception. A hypnotized individual is totally conscious of his environment. That person is just in a relaxed state where the attention spans are very high and the person can receive new inputs easily.
Some researchers have concluded that hypnosis succeeds on just 5% of the human population, and this is another prevalent myth. Although, the research has some element of truth to it, what makes it hollow is the fact that the scientists used the same hypnosis procedure for everyone. People differ in their characters and personalities, and hence there have to be different hypnosis techniques to suit the temperaments of different individuals.
People also tend to equate hypnosis with meditation. However, interaction between the subject and the practitioner is paramount in hypnosis, while meditation is like an appointment with the self without any external interaction involved. Similarly, a period of trance is also sometimes confused with hypnosis, which is not true. Trance is again a mental state sans any communication, on the other hand communication forms the very foundation of the hypnosis method.
Another misconception is that physical and behavioural alterations in an individual are not possible through hypnosis training or hypnotherapy. Hypnosis certainly cannot transform the body in unnatural ways. However, it can propel the body to a healthy shape through behavioural transformations like eating less, and giving up smoking and other addictions by ensuring a good amount of of inspiration in a person.
If an individual believes in all the misconceptions that exist regarding hypnotherapy and doesn’t venture to participate in a hypnotic session, then he will himself block his way to a happier and healthier life.
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