What Is Hypnosis and How Does It Work?

First of all, hypnosis is a very natural human state that we all enter naturally at least twice a day. Very simply put, it is a state of heightened awareness and focus.

Milton Erickson, considered the grandfather of modern hypnosis describes it as this:

“Hypnosis is a state of intensified attention and receptiveness,
and an increased responsiveness to an idea or to a set of ideas”

General Misconceptions Regarding Hypnosis

• Hypnosis is sleep – it can be profoundly relaxing, but it is not sleep.
• Loss of Consciousness – Since hypnosis is NOT sleep, there is no loss of consciousness. In fact subjects can often become ‘superconscious’.
• Surrender of will – Loss of control and being controlled – no hypnotherapist can get any client to do anything they don’t want to do if it’s against their morals, humiliating or dangerous.
• Revelation of Secrets – the self is self preserving. The conscious mind never disappears. It simply takes a temporary “back seat” and becomes the observer.
• Fear of not being Dehypnotized – there was never a case in history of a person not being able to come out of hypnosis. At worse, they will fall asleep.

Why does it work?

It is estimated that when in a hypnotic state suggestions are anywhere from 25 to 200 times more powerful. So, even if you were the worst hypnotic case ever, a suitable suggestion would have a powerful effect on you. If you are highly suggestible then you can change your life in an instant. This is a real gift.