Ian Nance

Period 6
Hypnosis: Just how does it work? What are the pros and cons of Hypnotherapy?
Throughout history, hypnosis has been a widely used method of healing and relaxation.
While this is true, there is still much that the average person does not understand about such a
practice. All too often people doubt the validity of hypnosis, passing it off as a myth. Despite the
widespread ignorance, hypnosis is a thriving practice, helping people all across the globe.
Harnessing the power of hypnosis allows people to make positive changes in their lives, and
therefore there is just cause to learn more about it as a society. Thus, the overall necessity and
benefits of hypnosis require that a greater number of people become educated on the practice of
hypnosis.
When it comes to hypnosis one thing must be established; hypnosis works. While it may
not be successful on everyone, there can be no refuting that the practice can have effects on
people. The state of hypnosis is one that the average person experiences multiple times per day.
This can include daydreaming, being absorbed in a pleasant task and losing track of time, doing
a mundane task (such as washing the dishes) while thinking about something else, to the degree
that you cant actually remember performing the task getting lulled into a dreamy state by
boredom, for example, when listening to a dull speech (m.betterhealth.vic.gov.au). Entering
such a state requires that the subconscious mind be awakened, while the conscious mind is put to
rest. One website writes, Supporting this theory is data that shows that while hypnotized,
subjects experience increased lower frequency brain waves and decreased high frequency brain
waves. The lower frequency waves are those associated with sleep and dreaming, while the high
frequency waves are associated with being awake. This fits the theory, as it is during sleep when

the conscious mind is also subdued (serendip.brynmawr.edu). When under this hypnotic state,
the subconscious control allows the patient to be much more focused and alert. As the practice of
hypnosis proceeds, the patient may be willing to adhere to the words of the therapist, as long as
the subject is willing to allow such changes to be made. While this state appears as though it
would allow the subject to be easily influenced, hypnosis maintains the same awareness of
surroundings that one would normally have while the conscious mind is awake and active.
Regardless of the fact that hypnosis as a practice does not work on everyone, it is still important
to understand how it works. The relationship between the patient and the therapist is essential, as
the awakening of the subconscious mind must occur for hypnosis to be effective. Thought it may
seem as if this paragraph explains all there is to know about such a topic, there is still much more
to learn about hypnosis and its uses.
The popularity and worldwide curiosity with hypnosis is due to the widespread truth
which explains that hypnosis helps people. Years of practice have taught us such a fact, as
historic experiments and tests have gradually educated the public over time. Essential to the
dispersal of this knowledge were Franz Mesmer, James Braid, and Milton H. Erickson. Pioneers
to the movement, their work did a great service to the public by bringing scientific explanation to
the practice. As more people began to understand hypnosis, it quickly became a much more
common practice through the years. From there, hypnosis continued to gained popularity due to
its ability to assist people in their efforts to make changes in their lives. Such uses of this practice
were given the name hypnotherapy, and as we see it today, hypnotherapy is a common method of
treatment. Hypnotherapy is used on patients to treat the varied problems which they might have.
While such issues are often mental, hypnosis may also be required to treat physical dilemmas.
Included in the list of possible problems to be solved with hypnosis are: ...the treatment of pain;

depression; anxiety and phobias; stress; habit disorders; gastrointestinal disorders, skin
conditions; post-surgical recovery; relief from nausea and vomiting; childbirth; treatment of
hemophilia and many other conditions (APA.org). With one glance at this list it is evident that
hypnosis as a form of treatment can have a positive impact on the health and lives of others. Not
only does hypnotherapy give people hope, but it actually provides long-lasting, beneficial results
for those who suffer from mental and physical disorders or illnesses. Due to the awakening of the
subconscious mind, such changes are able to be made by a professional. Giving small orders to
the patient enables growth and change from past behavior and lifestyle choices. Often, this is
done by associating a negative emotion with one of the patients bad habits. Not only this, but
according to the American Psychological Association, physical problems can be healed with
hypnosis. This can be explained by the decreased anxiety, depression, and stress associated with
hypnotherapy. The trance-like state is a great feeling, one which provides lasting physical health
benefits. While it may appear as if hypnosis is completely positive, there is much to know about
the risks and negative effects of this practice.
Able to solve even the pettiest of issues, hypnotherapy has an opportunity to be
successful on almost everyone who is willing to accept its process. However, like anything else,
hypnosis has it complications. Even when performed by a respected practitioner, side effects can
range from ...dizziness, headache, feelings of anxiety, upset stomach, and false memories
(m.betterhealth.vic.gov.au). In addition, numerous reports state that a common problem with
hypnosis can be the creation of pseudomemories. These false memories are created when a
hypnotist asks a leading question while attempting to expand upon the memories of a witness to
a crime. From pseudomemories, court proceedings can be hindered, and the patient is often left
with false, bone-chilling memories. The side effects of hypnosis include some minor issues, but

with pseudomemories it is apparent that hypnosis can have a major impact on ones memory.
Therefore, while hypnosis and hypnotherapy can serve a great purpose, they also contain
alarming side effects.
Understanding hypnosis and how it serves mankind is a necessity. It is vital to be made
aware of how this process functions, and what effects it has on the human body and mind. Since
it has such a strong capability of changing lives for the better, it will surely last for several years
to come. Hypnotherapy can alter our behavior, keeping us from acting as we once did before
receiving treatment. When looking at the list of illnesses and behaviors that can be affected by
hypnosis, it is evident why such a practice has remained popular for centuries. Habits such as
smoking and overeating have the ability to be solved with hypnotherapy. Furthermore, problems
such as depression and anxiety can be suppressed and even omitted from the mind through the
use of hypnosis. Thus, hypnotherapy has the ability to save lives, and that is the most important
aspect of it all. Regardless of the minor side-effects, the importance of hypnosis lies on the fact
that it has the ability to keep someone from ending their life; whether this is intentional or
through bad habits. Therefore, it is extremely important to be educated on hypnosis and how it
works.

Works Cited
American Psychological Association. "Hypnosis Today Looking Beyond the Media Portrayal."
www.APA.org. Ed. American Psychological Association. APA, 2015. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.apa.org/topics/hypnosis/media.aspx>.
Hammond, D. Corydon. "What is Hypnosis and how does Hypnotherapy Work?"
www.hypnosis.me.uk. Ed. Oxford Hypnotherapy. Oxford Hypnotherapy, n.d. Web. 19
Sept. 2015. <http://www.hypnosis.me.uk/pages/whatis.html>.
History of Hypnosis. "History of Hypnosis." www.historyofhypnosis.org. Ed. History of
Hypnosis. History of Hypnosis, 2012. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.historyofhypnosis.org/>.
State Government of Victoria. "Hypnosis." m.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Ed. State Government of
Victoria. Australian Society of Hypnosis, 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
<http://m.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hypnosis?open>.
Urbschat, Leigh. "You Are Getting Sleepy: The Pros and Cons of Hypnosis."
serendip.brynmawr.edu. Ed. Serendip. Serendip, 17 May 2007. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
<http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/512>.

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