Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHow Hypnosis WorksHow It Affects the BrainApplicationsCostBenefitsSide EffectsProcess
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
How Hypnosis Works
How It Affects the Brain
Applications
Cost
Benefits
Side Effects
Process
Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnosis therapy or clinical hypnosis, is a real therapy used in psychotherapy with a specially-trained mental health provider.
Psychotherapy helps people with mental health conditions improve their well-being, usually through methods liketalk therapy. Hypnosis is anothertherapy methodthat can be used. It is a state of trance-like consciousness that makes the mind more open to suggestion.
This article discusses hypnotherapy, its effectiveness, and what to expect if you have a hypnosis therapy session.
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What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are often used interchangeably, but the meanings are distinct. Hypnosis is a trance-like state in which the mind becomes more open to suggestion, and hypnotherapy is the clinical practice of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is also described as a state of altered consciousness that allows for increased concentration and focus. This can facilitate therapeutic change, helping with behaviors like:
Despite how hypnosis has been portrayed in the media, evidence-based scientific research suggests that hypnosis is a real and effective therapeutic tool.
Trance-like states can occur regularly in daily life. Activities that involve repetitive movements, such as exercising (walking, cycling, jogging), cooking, or long-distance driving can induce a trancelike state.
Once the session is complete, they will guide you back to a normal state of consciousness.
Not Everyone Can Be HypnotizedAround 10% to 20% of people cannot be hypnotized. One study indicates thathypnotizabilityis actually a genetic trait.
Not Everyone Can Be Hypnotized
Around 10% to 20% of people cannot be hypnotized. One study indicates thathypnotizabilityis actually a genetic trait.
What Happens to the Brain
Research shows hypnosis impacts multiple brain regions, including:
Brain imagingshows if a person is under hypnosis and visualizing an image, areas of the brain are activated as if they were in a wakeful, conscious reality. When a person experiences hypnotically induced or imagined pain during hypnosis, the areas in the brain correlated to pain are activated just as if they’re experiencing physical pain.
Can Hypnosis Lead to Mind Control?Entertainment media gives the impression that hypnosis is mind control. But in reality, hypnosis is a trance-like state of relaxed, deep focus. You can still hear what is going on around you and can come out of the trance at any time.Hypnotherapy cannot make you do something against your will. No hypnotherapist or hypnotist can make someone do things they don’t want to do. This is why people who are hypnotized for smoking cessation may continue to smoke.
Can Hypnosis Lead to Mind Control?
Entertainment media gives the impression that hypnosis is mind control. But in reality, hypnosis is a trance-like state of relaxed, deep focus. You can still hear what is going on around you and can come out of the trance at any time.Hypnotherapy cannot make you do something against your will. No hypnotherapist or hypnotist can make someone do things they don’t want to do. This is why people who are hypnotized for smoking cessation may continue to smoke.
Entertainment media gives the impression that hypnosis is mind control. But in reality, hypnosis is a trance-like state of relaxed, deep focus. You can still hear what is going on around you and can come out of the trance at any time.
Hypnotherapy cannot make you do something against your will. No hypnotherapist or hypnotist can make someone do things they don’t want to do. This is why people who are hypnotized for smoking cessation may continue to smoke.
What Hypnosis Can Help With
Some of the conditions that can be improved or benefit from hypnotherapy include:
Cost of Hypnosis
The average cost of hypnotherapy ranges from $75 to $125 or more per session, but several sessions may be required to experience results. Sometimes the cost may be bundled into a broader program, such as with smoking cessation or weight loss.
Benefits of Hypnosis
In one study, people who combinedcognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) with hypnosis reported greater improvement than those who had CBT without hypnosis.In a study on pain, hypnosis produced up to a 42% reduction in pain.
Hypnosis may offer other benefits, such as:
When practiced correctly, hypnosis is generally safe. However, hypnosis is not safe if you have a serious mental illness.
Reported side effects from hypnosis can include:
When to Use CautionHypnosis is not appropriate for people with serious mental disorders and conditions, includingpsychosis,hallucinations, ordelusions. It may even be dangerous for those with dissociative disorders andschizophrenia.
When to Use Caution
Hypnosis is not appropriate for people with serious mental disorders and conditions, includingpsychosis,hallucinations, ordelusions. It may even be dangerous for those with dissociative disorders andschizophrenia.
What to Expect During Hypnosis
Here are some general steps to expect during your hypnosis session:
Dress comfortably for your appointment, as you may need to recline during the session. Most hypnotherapy sessions last 50 to 60 minutes but can vary in length from 30 minutes to two hours.
Is Self-Hypnosis Effective?
Summary
Hypnosis is a legitimate therapy helpful for many issues, including smoking cessation, weight loss, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and more. It has been shown to be an effective addition to traditional psychotherapy.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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