Hypnosis

Raquel M. Dunkman
Hypnosis
Indiana Wesleyan University




















Definition
Hypnotism can be defined as: "a temporary condition of altered attention in an individual" (World Book Inc.). Hypnotism is a normal state of mind for humans and can help them improve their psychological, and overall well-being. The word hypnosis originated from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep. Some people believe that a hypnotist can force his patient to do whatever he pleases. In reality, the patient is in control of what he or she is doing throughout the hypnotic experience (World Book Inc.). People are under the assumption that while in a state of hypnosis they are being controlled. This is actually not the true, but the patient is rather realizing how much control they have actually have over their own bodies (Beauregard, 2012). The patient is never forced to do something against their will; the hypnotist simply coaches what patients think about (World Book Inc.).
Over the years, people have been misconceived by what hypnotism truly is. There is not any magic involved, nor does the hypnotist have any extraordinary powers. Hollywood portrays hypnotism as a hypnotist taking advantage of the patients, or turning them into zombies. People come in contact with hypnosis everyday without even realizing it. TV commercials persuade their viewers into thinking they need the product right now. The ad usually has sayings including: "limited time offer", "only a few left in stock", "act now and take advantage of this amazing offer". Hypnotism can be abused, which is why it has a bad reputation in most societies. Trained professionals, who will use hypnosis for therapeutic and biological purposes, should only practice it (Bastarche, 2009).
History
Early Greeks and Egyptians, and other ancestral cultures have described hypnotic understandings. Records of anesthesia and other deep sleeping practices have been traced back to the Old Testament, and in a book called the Talmud, which is a compilation of Jewish sacred writings. During the 18th century in India, James Esdaile, a Scottish doctor, was performing successful surgeries by using hypnosis as an anesthetic for his patients. Russian psychologist, Ivan Pavlov, concluded that hypnosis is constructed on inhibition of particular nerve impulses in the brain (World Book Inc.). Hypnosis was also widely used during WWI and WWII, in order to treat the soldiers' mental disorders that started because of the war. American scientist, Morton Prince, proved that hypnotized people are able to have multiple brain activity at the same time. All throughout history, different cultures have used rituals and techniques that can be viewed as hypnotism (World Book Inc.).
Hypnotic Experience
Every patient goes into hypnosis at different times, ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes; however, not everyone can be hypnotized. The client can choose to think on what the hypnotist is telling them to think about or not. Hypnosis has various levels from light hypnosis to deep hypnosis. During light hypnosis, the patient is simply relaxed and follows along with what the hypnotist is saying. The patient is resting, while having minimal awareness of their surroundings. With deep hypnosis, the patient may go into a deep sleep (World Book Inc.).
Franz Mesmer, an Austrian physician during the 1770's, developed a scientific hypnosis that he called animal magnetism. He used water tubes and magnetic wands to direct the fluids to his patients. In 1784, a French Commission was formed to report on whether or not Mesmer's treatments actually worked. They concluded the fluids did not actually exist, even though the patients claimed they had been cured. Rather, Mesmer's form of hypnosis only cured a product of the patient's imagination. Animal magnetism later became known as Mesmerism (World Book Inc.).
Process
They hypnotist usually begins by telling his patient to concentrate on a certain spot on the wall or ceiling. As he or she continues to focus, the hypnotist will tell the patient to take deep breaths, to just relax, and to let their eyelids get heavy. Another way this is done, the hypnotist will tell his patient a story, while he or she is staring at the wall and breathing deeply. After some time has past, the hypnotist will tell the patient, " you will not be able to move their left hand", "your right arm is too heavy to lift", "your foot is immobilized", then the patient will understand that they cannot move that body part. This does not necessarily mean the patient is in a hypnotic state, but merely responding to what the hypnotist is suggesting. Drugs have also been used to help induce hypnosis, but the most commonly ones used are alcohol and thiopental, also known as "truth serum" (World Book Inc.).
Uses
Scientists have used hypnotism, in order to have a better understanding of the human mind and body. Doctors use hypnosis as an anesthetic for patients who are undergoing surgery, giving birth, dental procedures, eating disorders, and drug addiction (World Book Inc.). During hypnosis, cortical areas in the brain, that would normally be alert during painful situations, are not activated. This gives the patient control over his thoughts towards real pain. An alcoholic being hypnotized might be told that the alcohol tastes like chalk. The patient will start imagining the flavor and eventually will taste it in their mouth. If the patient tries alcohol after being hypnotized, they will taste chalk and no longer have a craving for alcohol. Generally, people are more easily hypnotized when they are relaxed. Statistically, 20% of people are resistant to hypnosis, while 65% are slightly or discreetly receptive, and 15% are extremely hypnotizable (Feist, Rosenberg, 2012). Hypnosis can also be used to relieve the pain after surgery. Children are more vulnerable to hypnosis than adults, and both males and females can be hypnotized. Psychologists use hypnosis to treat their patients who suffer from anxiety, phobias, and stress, or help them better understand a problem and ways to solve it. Hypnotism can also help people who have arthritis, stroke, cancer, and pain in the body. When people think getting a shot will hurt, it will. Most pain people experience is really psychological, which leads to actual physical pain. These are known as psychophysiological problems, which work their way from the nervous system to the cardiovascular, muscular and digestive systems (Feist, Rosenberg, 2012).
Hypnosis is helpful in controlling physical pain. The hypnotist tells the patients that in reality, they are not in pain. Hypnosis has been used with victims and witnesses of crimes. While they are under hypnosis, the witness might remember the culprit's appearance, or any other significant clue that would aid in solving the crime (World Book Inc.). The brain can act as its own endorphin or natural painkiller. Depending on the event that happened and how much trauma was involved, the brain will forget certain parts of the event, in order to protect the body from any more physiological and physical pain (Copelan, 1981). Maxwell Martz, MD, concluded that a patient must repeat information to themselves for 21 days straight, in order for their new thinking process to be an everyday part of life; however, the patient cannot forget a day, or the process will not work. For example, if someone who is afraid of dogs says to himself or herself everyday that dogs are not to be feared, they will no longer be afraid of them (Bastarache, 2009).
Dangers of Hypnotism
Hypnotism is only dangerous if the hypnotist abuses it. Only eligible hypnotists should practice hypnosis. Anyone can learn the process and techniques of hypnotism, but only trained professionals can use it for medical and psychological purposes. Unqualified hypnotists will not be able to manage with the problems that might occur, if the wrong kind of hypnosis is given. If a different method is used than what the person being hypnotized needs, a symptom may be overlooked or seen as another circumstance. Some medical professionals, such as dentists, physicians, doctors, and psychologists take special tests that certify them to use hypnosis for medical uses (World Book Inc.). The American Medical Association compels all physicians, who want to use hypnosis, to only do so for special purposes linked to their studies. Some researchers say that hypnosis used in lawful situations will cause severe complications. In 1985, The Council on Scientific Affairs stated that remembrances brought back through hypnotism may give erroneous information, insincere remembrances, or confabulation, which is a phenomenon where a person gets the truth and imagination combined. Two years later, the Supreme Court announced that in some situations, hypnosis can be used to bring back memories, and can be used by the defendants in criminal cases. People, who desire to practice hypnotism, must go through a lot of education and practice. Before becoming qualified, a hypnotist-in-training must know how to evaluate the problem, conclude whether or not hypnosis is the right treatment for the patient, and evaluate the outcomes given (World Book Inc.).
Self-hypnosis
Self-hypnosis, or autohypnosis, is the case in which people can put themselves into a relaxed state of mind. People should talk with their doctors before engaging in self-hypnosis, in order to determine if that is the right treatment they need. Medical professionals need to first examine the source of pain, and if hypnosis is the right option. Self-hypnosis not used properly can result in complications for the patient (World Book Inc.). The process starts with the person going to a quiet room, putting on quiet classical or other soft music, sitting or lying down in a comfortable position and relax. Next, they close their eyes to block out their surroundings, take deep breaths, and focus on the sound of their breathing. Then, the patient will think about their favorite place to be alone. They will see the colors, sounds, animals, and feel the temperature of the place they are in. The person can stay in that place for as long as they need, before bringing themselves back to reality. After the person is relaxed and ready, they must slowly bring themselves back to reality. If brought back too soon, they might get their reality and imagination mixed up, causing complications later on. The person usually thinks about a road that leads from where they are in their minds, to where they will be in actuality. They will think about walking along that path until they have come back to reality. Usually, people will give themselves a countdown, before they will open their eyes (Bastarche, 2009).
Phenomenon
Hypnotic experiences are different for everyone. Some may encounter changes in consciousness, and alertness, while others may have changes in imaginative creativity and perception. Some recorded phenomenal experiences include changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and detecting what is hot and cold. While hypnosis can be used to bring back memories, they can also affect the person's normal behavior, which may result in a psychological illness. From their experiences, soldiers, who fought during WWII, developed amnesia. Through hypnosis, they were able to recall those tragedies they had encountered, and relieve the pain that occurred (World Book Inc.). There is another common hypnotic phenomenon called age regression, in which the hypnotist suggests that the patient "re-live" a certain age. This is common with people who were abused, raped, or had other tragedies happen. The person starts acting, thinking, and even talking like they would at that age. With this, the patient can remember certain instances and emotions that had occurred during that event, which impacted them to the present day. The patient will reenact the situation, this time using a different coping mechanism the hypnotist suggested. In this way, the patient can leave the tragic events in the past, so that they can move on with their lives (World Book Inc.).There have been some instances where the hypnotist takes their patient back in time to The Renaissance Period, or to the future. Untrained hypnotists have used this phenomenon to convince the person's mind that they are currently living in that time period, even after being fully alert. When a hypnotist is ready to end the session, they will give a signal, make a sound, or have a countdown; however, the patient can end the session without a command given. Not every session can be easily ended, another example of why only professionals should practice hypnotism (World Book Inc).
















References
Bastarche, R. A. (2009). The everything self-hypnosis book. Adams Media, Avon, MA.
Beauregard, M. (2012). Brain wars: The scientific battle over the existence of the mind and the proof that will change the way we live our lives. HarperCollins Publisher, New York, NY.
Copelan, R. (1981). How to hypnotize yourself & others. Bell Publishing Company, New York, NY.
Feist, G. J., Rosenberg, E. L. (2012). Psychology: perspectives & connections. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York, NY.
World Book Inc. (2008). The world book encyclopedia, 9. Scott Fetzer Company, Chicago, IL.

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