Myths & Facts About Hypnosis

MYTH: Hypnotism is Voodoo.

FACT: Hypnotism is scientific.  It is not supernatural nor of the occult, but a purely natural manifestation of the powers of the human mind.  People enter hypnosis many times a day, awake or asleep, watching TV, driving, reading, daydreaming or engaging in hobbies. We call this waking hypnosis and natural hypnosis.

MYTH: A person can be hypnotized by a Hypnotherapist against their will.

FACT: A person must consent to be hypnotized before they can be induced to enter a trance state with a professional. Trance hypnosis is a deep state of hypnosis created by tailoring techniques to the client.  Participants of Coastal Academy of Hypnotherapy sign an oath of human dignity and privacy and are required to ask permission to hypnotize.  It is possible for people to be in natural and waking hypnosis without their knowledge or permission.  This type of hypnosis is a light state of hypnosis that the person may not be aware that they are in.  This can happen when there is a combination of focus, emotion and interaction with an authority figure or someone who the person feels is credible (e.g. a parent, teacher, doctor or peer).  People do go in and out of hypnosis on their own several times a day.

MYTH: A Hypnotist can use soothing words and soft music to simply lull his client to sleep.

FACT: In hypnosis, the conscious mind is completely relaxed and rested but not asleep.  In sleep, the conscious mind is to some extent still tense and alert. 

MYTH:Weak-willed people make the best clients.

FACT: The best hypnotic clients are individuals with a strong will, can focus well, and have average intelligence.  Hypnotism actually has nothing to do with the will; it depends up on the imagination, a faculty which is vastly stronger than the will.  Therefore, bright, imaginative people make, by far, the best clients.

MYTH:The Hypnotist’s will “dominates” that of the client.

FACT: There is no “domination” and no “submission” in hypnotism.  The Hypnotist helps clients to release and express their own latent or hidden abilities.  For example, a man unaccustomed to public speaking can, when hypnotized, speak fluently and confidently to an audience of thousands.  He already had the ability to do this, but suppressed it by his own doubts and fears.  The Hypnotist can release that ability in an individual.  A teacher of elocution could do the same, but would take months or years to achieve it.  Hypnotism produces the desired result quickly.

MYTH:The Hypnotist has absolute control over a client’s mind and body.  

FACT: This is the most injurious of all myths concerning hypnotism.  No Hypnotist can make a person say or do anything contrary to their deep-rooted principles.  A girl who perhaps would not normally be seen on a dance floor, in hypnosis might cast off her inhibitions and boogie.  But a normally modest girl certainly could not be made to disrobe in front of a person, including the Hypnotist.  Any suggestions that arouse sincere moral indignation or repugnance immediately cause the client to break the trance, either by coming out of it or by lapsing into ordinary sleep.  Thus, as we have shown before, hypnosis is not an anesthetic that renders the person helpless; it is a means of releasing and intensifying his or her own personal power and ability.  Ensure this myth is cleared in the pre-talk.  

MYTH: Hypnotherapy requires a deep trance.

FACT: Hypnosis has many therapeutic uses, but results do not depend upon the depth of trance.  Some nervous disorders can be completely cured in the lightest trance while another client with the same complaint may receive little benefit from anything but the deepest hypnosis.    

MYTH:A client may not wake up after hypnosis. 

FACT: There is not the slightest danger of this.  The client, left to oneself, will fall into ordinary sleep and wake normally.  How soon depends on the time of day.  A client hypnotized soon after breakfast would probably wake within the hour; hypnotized late at night, they would probably sleep through to their normal waking hour the next morning.  

MYTH: Hypnotism is dangerous. 

FACT: An automobile is not in itself dangerous, food is not dangerous, tranquilizers are not dangerous, but all of these things if misused can cause harm.  Hypnotism practiced by unqualified Hypnotherapists can be dangerous.  It is perfectly safe when used properly by an experienced practitioner who has proper training.   

MYTH: A person knows nothing when they are hypnotized.

FACT: In light and medium stages of hypnosis, the client is fully aware of what is being said or done.  When they come out of hypnosis they will remember every detail.  They may actually deny that they were hypnotized at all.  Even in deep trance most people hear and know all that is going on.  

MYTH: The medical community condemns hypnotism.

FACT: The American Medical Association accepted the therapeutic value of hypnotism in June, 1958, as long as done by Medical Professionals. Canadian and British medical associations agreed on April 23, 1995.  Hypnotism is used in many dentist offices to produce drugless anesthesia without suffering or anxiety to the patient.  Hypnosis is being used by many surgeons for all kinds of operations.  Many psychologists and psychiatrists use hypnosis with their patients.       

MYTH: Hypnotherapy, like psychoanalysis requires ongoing, lengthy sessions.

FACT: With many clients, complete relief can be obtained in comparatively short time.  On some occasions a couple of treatments are all that is required.  Most require a series of treatments over several sessions.     

MYTH: Hypnotherapy doesn’t work as well as ‘traditional therapies’.

FACT: Recovery Rates for Various Treatments:   Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions   Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions   Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions   Source: American Health Magazine August 2006 - http://www.hypnosis101.com/training.htm 

Contact Bliss Hypnosis Today

Are you trying to quit smoking or seek help with life's many challenges?  Bliss Hypnosis is here to help.  Norma Bowen is a Certified Hypnotherapist who will gently guide you through the process.  Book a free 20-minute consultation by using our online booking system or call 1-250-245-9952.