Hypnosis FAQs What is Hypnosis? What can you do with hypnosis? What about stage hypnosis? What about mind Control? Isn’t hypnosis mind-control? What about the occult? Isn't hypnosis anti-religion? What about past life regression and alien abduction? Is it true some people can't be hypnotized?    I tried hypnosis to quit smoking, but it didn't work. After two days I started smoking again. Can your approach help? Do hypnosis tapes, CDs, or other audios work?    If you have a question about hypnosis you'd like answered e-mail me, if appropriate I'll add it to this list.  In any case I will personally reply.    What is Hypnosis? HYPNOSIS, is one of the oldest healing arts known, and yet it remains a mystery to many. Hypnosis, in some form, has been around for as long as humans have kept records. And of course, for long before that. The reason is simple: learning is a natural human ability. As most people realize, some mental states are more conducive to learning than others.  We all tend to learn better when we are focused, relaxed and have positive expectations about our learning. Hypnosis is a specific learning state that incorporates selective focus, relaxation (usually, although not always), and positive expectation.. These are, in fact, the characteristics of hypnosis: focus, relaxation and positive expectation. There are, of course, other forms of trance, that are more sleep-like (but not sleep), but these are not necessarily a part of hypnosis. Hypnosis can in fact be used while one is fully awake. Contrary to the picture Hollywood has portrayed of hypnosis, hypnotic trance is an every day state that we all go in and out of quite naturally. Trance, is nothing unusual (as many people have experienced while driving), and nothing to be feared. Without going into trance, you wouldn’t be able to learn, to focus attention, read, enjoy a movie, and much more… Hypnosis is the intentional use of the natural trance or other heightened learning states to bring about a desired outcome. It is a state in which resistance (conscious or unconscious) is reduced, and one is more receptive to acceptable suggestion. Hypnosis allows one to critically accept or reject habitual emotional and thinking patterns that keep a person stuck in unhealthy behaviors, or limits one emotionally. The hypnotic state is a natural ability, and hypnosis is one of the most powerful psychological tools available for creating your own best future. Every time you narrow your focus, you purposely (although not always consciously) limit your attention, and you enter a kind of hypnotic trance. Even normal awareness involves attending to numerous things, with the mind fixating for short times on a single item. The hypnotic trance state accentuates this, and involves a single, or limited focus of attention.   Right now, for example, you are reading these words and your mind is considering the meaning of the words. You are considering how they compare with what you already know or think about hypnosis, and if and how these words might apply to you.  You may or may not even be feeling resistance to what you are reading. You could be aware, if you chose, to be aware of many things, external things, such as the feel of the seat you are sitting in, or the temperature of the room, or how your eyes feel as you read these words on a screen or printed page.    You may be aware of internal sensations, such as, how you feel about hypnosis, your fears, or your curiosity, or bodily sensations, such as, "My mouth is drier than I realized; I could use a glass of water now." Or any muscle tension you feel. As you read these words and consider them, whether or not you realize it, you have, perhaps, entered a trance state. You have focused your attention. You are attending to internal sensations. You have purposely limited your consideration to the things you are now reading.  You remain in control. The ability to focus and yet remain in control is what allows you to reach this point in this article… ...and, if you choose... ..continue this article with even more curiosity. Because... The ability to focus is an essential skill. To be effective in any situation we must narrow down our attention. Different experts, depending on how they define their terms, claim we are exposed to between 10 thousand, and 2 million bits of information at any one moment. There's no way to attend to all of it. We need to be able to filter out less relevant aspects of our experience. Hypnosis is simply an application of this ability. Every hypnotist has his or her own definition of hypnosis, but there is general consensus on these:      - focus of attention       -enhanced communication between the conscious and unconscious      - diminished conscious resistance to acceptable suggestion The end result is a greater unity between the conscious and unconscious. Hypnosis is not giving up control of one’s mind to another person, as some believe, rather it is gaining greater control of one’s own mind. A person in hypnosis can be more aware, and more open to critically examining new options for him or herself.   Back to top         What can you do with hypnosis? Using hypnosis, you can:      Undergo invasive medical procedures without or with reduced chemical anesthesia      Comfortably overcome life-long fears      Eliminate ‘flashbacks’ that often follow a traumatic experience      Be confident and improve performance in situations such as public speaking and sports      Lower blood pressure and heighten immune function      Accelerate the body’s rate of healing      Learn to come out of depression and stay out      Develop new healthful habits      Eliminate addictions (including nicotine)      Achieve a healthy weight       These and many other benefits have been documented in the scientific literature. Additionally, anything that can be done with the power of the mind without hypnosis can be done-- usually easier, and more effectively with hypnosis.   Back to top           What about stage hypnosis? Is it real?   In a stage show subjects are carefully chosen for their willingness to be part of the show. They voluntarily become much less inhibited. In the context of a show, a subject performs appropriately for the setting. The “crazy things” people do as part of a stage show is for show. It is role playing at its finest. It is hypnosis. People do experience trance, and the stunts people do is because people are able to access more of their own mental abilities. The stage hypnotist can get people to do what no clinical hypnotherapist could, but not because they are more skilled. It's because it would not be appropriate in a clinical setting. Likewise, a hypnotherapist in a clinical setting can accomplish what no stage hypnotist could. What is clear is that no one does anything completely against his or her will in a stage show. They are willing participants in providing an audience with entertainment. Back to top      What about mind Control? Isn’t hypnosis mind control?   This is the $64, 000 question when it comes to hypnosis: Is hypnosis a form of mind control? Or, as I is often asked, with hypnosis can a person be made to do something against his or her will? Many hypnotists and hypnotherapists would say, "No". I disagree. With hypnosis you can lead some one to do something against his or her will. You could, of course, do the same without hypnosis. Now, let's be clear about what I mean. Everyone has ambivalent feelings at times.  We want something, but don't want it, or want some things that are mutually exclusive at the same time. In other word we all do things "against our will" at times. A smoker wants to quit, but lights up a cigarette when anxious.  A dieter wants to make healthy food choice, but overeats.   At the same time many people have the desire to do what they know is against their own best interest. Hypnosis can help a person to make choices and take action to his or her own benefit. A smoker wants to smoke, but with hypnosis he or she could be led to decline a cigarette when offered.  An overweight person wants to have another serving of pie, but with hypnosis can be led to have a big glass of water instead. Again in these cases a person could be said to be doing something against his or her will. What hypnosis does in these cases is really not so much against a person's will; rather it strengthens one's will to make positive choices. It resolves the ambivalence, and brings greater alignment between the conscious and unconscious mental processes. Hypnosis helps a person resolve ambivalence in the direction of healthy choices. In hypnosis a person is more open to critically examining suggestions.  Even in the deepest levels of hypnosis he or she is always free to accept or reject any suggestion given.  A person’s free will, values, and safety are not violated by hypnosis. In fact, one's will is strengthened in hypnosis. There is, however, another form of mind control that all people need to be aware of. It is the interpersonal influence exerted by cult leaders, con artists and unscrupulous pitchmen and women. I'm referring to persuasion or interpersonal influence based on deception, or with disregard for an individual's freedom of choice or best interest. The person exerting this type of influence could be a salesperson, a religious leader, a pick-up artist, or a con man. He or she may even use hypnotic techniques as a means to an end. In the right circumstances a person can be led to do something against his or her will, against his or her best interest, even against his or her values.  Consider smokers. Haven’t they been persuaded to do something again their best interests? How many times have you made a purchase, only to later kick yourself for being persuaded against your better judgement. This is accomplished with deception, manipulation, and social coercion. This is not hypnosis. The best defense against this is to be clear about your beliefs, your values, and what it is you truly want. Be willing to go against social pressures to conform whenever any of these are violated.   Back to top   What about the occult? Isn’t hypnosis anti-religion?    Occult practitioners have long recognized the power of the trance state and have used it for thousands of years. Since trance is a state we all go in and out of throughout the day every religion, whether or not it will admit to it or recognizes it, uses the trance state. It can't be avoided; the hypnotic state is natural, neutral, and we all go in and out of it on a regular basis. Hypnosis is neither good nor bad, it is simply a human capability. Like speech and reasoning, it is a God-given ability of human beings. It is neither religious, nor anti-religious, neither Godly nor un-Godly.  How it is used determines its effects and how it is to be judged. Some object to hypnosis on the basis that it works on unconscious mental processes, rather than reason and the rational mind to bring about change.   This is often based on mistaken belief that rational judgment and free will are suspended in hypnosis. In reality a person in hypnosis is generally more able to critically examine suggestions. To criticize a hypnotherapist for not focusing on the rational mind is like criticizing a plumber for not working on the wiring of a house. It's a matter of specialization. Admittedly, some hypnotists elevate the power of the unconscious mind to almost god-like status, but in truth, effective change requires one to engage the whole mind, just as to honor God requires that we honor him with our whole being. An ethical and well-informed hypnotherapist recognizes the importance of the rational mind, but as a matter of specialty focuses on the unconscious mind. Sometimes it's an embarrassment to the more scientifically minded practitioner, like myself, to see how others use hypnosis. Certain practitioners use it for such things as past life regression, astral projection, and heightening psychic abilities. This proves nothing about hypnosis, just as the fact that these same practitioners use electricity proves nothing about electricity. These uses just attest to its effectiveness. It can be used for whatever ends the user desires. The Bible is silent on the matter of hypnosis. It does teach that we are to do all we can do to live righly, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Hypnosis is a means of aligning of our behavior with our values and  renewing our minds. It teaches that the "double minded man is unstable...". Hypnosis bring about greater unity of the conscious and subconsious mind, in otherwords, single-mindedness.     Having said all that, let me emphasize that each person must be convinced in his or her own mind that hypnosis is acceptable.  Live by your convictions. Side note:  Many believers cite Deuteronomy 18:10-11as a proof text against hypnosis.  This passage speaks against a number of ways to achieve altered states of consciousness: sorcery, charmers, enchanters, mediums, spells.  Contrary to the claims of some, none of these words translate to hypnosis. To state that this passage refers to hypnosis is as dishonest as those who in support of hypnosis state that Genesis 2:21 refers to hypnosis.  The passage in Deuteronomy is clearly talking about pagan and cultic practitioners. Hypnosis is sometimes by its practitioners, but because it operates through natural processes of the brain, it is not itself occult. The Bible no where talks about hypnosis. Those for or against it, who claim it does are being dishonest, or displaying poor exegesis.   The Bible does refer to trance (Daniel 2:19 and Acts 11:15) in a positive light, but again to equate this with hypnosis is incorrect. Not all trance is hypnosis; not all hypnosis involves trance (as most people understand trance).      Back to top   What about past life regression and alien abduction? The power of hypnosis is such that one can be led to remember things that never happened. This should not be a surprise, since this can be done without hypnosis as well. Memory is very malleably to suggestion. With or without hypnosis, people can be led to "remember" events that never happened. Previously I worked extensively with sexually abused children. Before the idea of false-memory-syndrome was widely accepted, I made note of the phenomena. I noted that victims of abuse are easily led to confirm the suspicions or biases of an interviewer and that special care was needed to not lead clients.  I even suggested that we as counselors might be implanting false memories. Consequently my professional peers ostracized me. False-memory-syndrome is a recognized phenomenon now. That memories can be fabricated and implanted, and that clients can be led to believe that events that never happened are real, is now generally accepted.  This is a natural human ability. Since these can be accomplished without hypnosis, naturally then, these can be accomplished with hypnosis. Unfortunately, there is the misconception that if they are accomplished with hypnosis, they are somehow more "true". Hypnosis can do many things, but it cannot make the untrue true. Can hypnosis help one to remember past lives, or alien abductions?  Yes. Are these memories true? I personally have never read, nor heard convincing evidence that either of these exist; much less that hypnosis can help one recall a true memory of these. There is evidence that indicates that memories recalled under hypnosis are no more valid or accurate than those recalled without it. Side note: Although I don't consider past life memories to be real, they are an important belief to some clients. Research shows that working with "past life memories", even when intentionally fabricated, can have a positive therapeutic effect. So even if they are not real, they can be a powerful metaphor.           Back to top   Is it true some people can't be hypnotized? Anyone of average or above intelligence can be hypnotized if they are willing. These are the only limits to who can be hypnotized:  intelligence and willingness.  Again, although nearly everyone can be led into a hypnotic state, the effective of hypnotic suggestion depends on the willingness of the hypnotized person.   I get the sense that when people say, "I don't think I can be hypnotized," what they really mean is they don't think they can be made to do something against their will.  . The fact is anyone who is willing to learn to use their brain/mind more effectively can be hypnotized. Researchers now realize that there are various approaches to hypnosis, and the approach that works well with one person may not be the best for another. For one person traditional approaches with formal progressive trance induction works best, for other rapid induction approaches, and for others Dynamic (tranceless) Hypnosis. Many people who have tried hypnosis and "It didn't work" have only tried one approach.   Back to top         I tried Hypnosis to quit smoking, but it didn’t work.  After two days I started smoking again.  Can your approach help?   Let's see if I have this right... After many year of smoking every day, with hypnosis you successfully went two days without smoking. Have you ever had a headache, and taken a pain reliever for it? The pain went away for a little while, and then came back.  Does this mean that pain relievers don't work? Or do you need another dose? Perhaps you needed a different type of pain reliever (aspirin instead of acetaminophen for example)? It is the same with hypnosis.  A problem that goes away (for however briefly) that comes back is not an indication that hypnosis didn't work, but that either another "dose" or a different approach is needed. I have seen cases in which smoking was permanently relieved with just one session.  I use several approaches to hypnosis to achieve this goal.  That's why with smoking cessation I guarantee results (see fees and services for details). Back to top Do hypnosis tapes, CDs or other audios work? Yes, but no audio product works for everyone. There are a number of approaches to hypnosis, and different producers of audio products will use different approaches.  Which will work best for a particular person is an individual matter. That's why an individual session with a hypnotherapist who can use a number of different approaches, and tailor a session specifically for you works best. There many excellent hypnosis audio products available. that can be used as a companion to hypnosis with a hypnotherapist, or an an introduction to hypnosis for someone who is interested, but not yet sure, or in cases in which circumstance just don't allow for individual sessions. Where ever you purchase hypnosis audio beware of any producer that promises results with  subliminal audio programs.  The research just doesnot support the effectiveness of subliminal audio (visual subliminal does work, but there are very few producer of these products). "Paraliminal" , "binaural", "entertrainment", and "dual input" are other terms that may be used to describe audio products. They are not the same as subliminal, and they they are effective. Also, don't order any hypnosis product that does not have a money back guarantee. There are great products available, but they aren't individualized for you, so it's only fair that they come with a guarantee.   E-mail       (208) 691-4468