Misconceptions about Hypnosis
From HypnoPedia
[edit] Misconceptions pertinent to Hypnosis
Some believe that hypnosis is a form of mind control and/or brainwashing that can control a person's behavior and judgment and therefore could potentially cause them harm. While in hypnosis a person's morals and ethics remain intact, they won't do anything against their will. They will either accept or reject suggestions based on their beliefs.
From the mental standpoint, a hypnotic subject is relaxed yet alert and always aware at some level. Some choose to think of this as a state of mind called "trance". You are not 'unconscious' in hypnosis, you can hear very clearly and may even be more aware of the things around you.
Due to the popular but incorrect notion of hypnosis as mind control, some people believe that the ability to experience hypnosis is related to strength and soundness of mind. However, scientists note that personality traits such as gullibility or submissiveness or factors such as low intelligence are not related to hypnotize-ability. Research studies suggest that none of intelligence, gender, or personality traits (ref: below ...overactive imagination...) affect responsiveness to hypnosis.
Another misconception in popular culture is that hypnosis is often the product of vivid imaginations and that hypnotic phenomena are merely imagined in the mind. However, research indicates many imaginative people do not fare well as good hypnotic subjects. Furthermore, studies using PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans have shown that hypnotized subjects suggested to have auditory hallucinations demonstrated regional blood flow in the same areas of the brain as real hearing, whereas subjects merely imagining hearing noise did not.
Many people get their ideas about hypnosis from television, books or movies. Most often these are inaccurate.
The term 'sleep' is often used when discussing hypnosis. It is used to identify a very relaxed state of physical body and mind, however, the client is aware of everything going on around them. You are not 'unconscious' in hypnosis, you can hear very clearly and may even be more aware of the things around you.
While in hypnosis a person's morals and ethics remain intact, they won't do anything against their will. You will either accept or reject suggestions based on your set of beliefs, trust, expectancy, etc...
Nobody can get stuck in a trance. You will either remain relaxed for a short period and emerge, or you may fall into normal sleep and wake up naturally from trance.
Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You can lie while experiencing hypnosis. You will always be able to control what you say and what you don't say.
Fact. A highly intelligent, strong willed person is as great a client as any body else.
In hypnosis you can hear clearly and are very aware of what is happening around you. In fact, you are in a state of increased awareness with hypnosis.
We are all in hypnosis many times a day. Hypnosis is a very natural state. We pass thru this state on our way to sleep each day and also upon awakening.
Other times in which we go into hypnosis naturally are; becoming absorbed in a good book or movie, driving on long trips (known as highway hypnosis), becoming bored and allowing our mind to drift (daydreaming), becoming extremely engaged in something and allowing our mind to focus, even riding on a train, with the rhythmic sounds and the constant swaying.
Hypnosis is simply a tool, or vehicle, which helps enable direct access to the subconscious mind.
Trance is not sleep; rather it is more like when you are focused in a book or on the television or even driving for long periods of time.
