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What is Hypnosis?
- LCCH Asia
- Sep 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 22
For many, the word "hypnosis" conjures dramatic and often misleading images: a hypnotist with a swinging pocket watch, a stage performer making people cluck like chickens, or a person under a spell, completely surrendering their will. These caricatures, so often seen in films and on TV, have created a pervasive and profound misunderstanding of what hypnosis truly is.
In reality, clinical hypnosis is a powerful and evidence-based therapeutic tool that has been used for centuries to help people manage pain, overcome anxiety, and create profound, lasting changes in their lives. It is a natural state of mind, not a magical trick. It's a collaborative process that empowers you to take control of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
So, let's look beyond the myths and delve into the science and practical application of this fascinating and effective modality.
Dispelling the Myths: What Hypnosis is NOT
Before we can define what hypnosis is, it is crucial to clarify what it is not. Addressing these common misconceptions is the first step towards understanding its true potential.
It is not mind control. You remain in full control throughout the entire session. A therapist cannot force you to do or say anything against your will, your moral code, or your ethical boundaries. If you don't like a suggestion, you will simply disregard it. Your mind's protective mechanisms are always active.
You will not lose consciousness or fall asleep. Hypnosis is not sleep. In fact, you are in a state of heightened awareness and focused attention, often feeling more alert and aware of your internal world than in your normal waking state. You will be able to hear and respond to your surroundings if necessary, and you can open your eyes and end the session at any time.
You cannot get stuck in a trance. A hypnotic state is a natural and temporary one. A hypnotherapist simply guides you into this state, and you can easily exit it on your own. Most people feel calm and refreshed at the end of a session, as if they have had a peaceful rest.
It is not a magical cure. While clinical hypnosis is remarkably effective, it is a therapeutic tool that requires your active participation and commitment. It provides you with the mental framework and emotional resilience to make changes, but you are the one who does the work.
So, What Exactly Is It?
Clinical hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state of mind, characterised by highly focused attention and concentration. It's a natural state that you enter and exit many times a day without even realising it. Have you ever been so engrossed in a book that you lost all track of time? Or driven down the motorway and arrived at your destination without remembering part of the journey? These are common examples of a light hypnotic or trance-like state.
A trained hypnotherapist simply uses verbal cues and gentle guidance to help you enter this state of focused awareness intentionally. This allows you to bypass the conscious, critical part of your mind—the part that often over-analyses, doubts, and resists change—and access the subconscious mind. It is in this state that deeply held beliefs, habits, and emotional responses are stored, and where positive suggestions for change can be most effectively received.
Studies suggest that 10% to 15% of people are highly responsive to hypnosis, making it a powerful tool for them. At the other end of the spectrum, approximately 10% of adults are considered difficult or impossible to hypnotise. Interestingly, children tend to be more susceptible to hypnosis, and individuals who can easily become absorbed in fantasies or a book are also much more responsive.
For a patient to benefit from hypnotherapy, they must approach the experience with an open and receptive mind. A positive view of hypnosis is strongly correlated with a better response to the therapy.
A Brief History of Hypnosis
The practice of using trance-like states for healing dates back thousands of years. However, modern hypnosis began in the late 18th century with Austrian physician Franz Mesmer. He theorised that a universal fluid, which he called "animal magnetism," flowed through the body and could be manipulated to heal illness. While his theories were later debunked, his use of trance states laid the groundwork for future research.
In the 19th century, British surgeons James Braid and James Esdaile introduced a more scientific approach. It was Braid who coined the term "hypnosis," derived from the Greek word for sleep, hypnos. They used hypnosis as a powerful anaesthetic for surgery before the advent of chemical anaesthesia, performing thousands of painless operations.
In the 20th century, the field was further validated by psychiatrists like Milton Erickson, who revolutionised the practice by using conversational, indirect methods to induce trance states. Today, clinical hypnosis is widely recognised by medical and psychological associations as a legitimate and effective therapeutic tool.
The Science of the Subconscious: A Deeper Dive
The effectiveness of clinical hypnosis is not a mystery; it is supported by decades of scientific research. Brain imaging studies, such as fMRI scans, have shown that during a hypnotic state, there are measurable changes in brain activity, particularly in the frontal lobe (associated with attention and decision-making) and the cingulate cortex (involved in emotional regulation).
When we are in a hypnotic state, the activity of our brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) decreases. The DMN is the part of the brain responsible for "mind-wandering," self-critical thought, and rumination. By reducing its activity, hypnosis allows us to step away from repetitive negative thought patterns and become more receptive to positive, therapeutic suggestions. This is the science behind why hypnosis is so effective for managing conditions like anxiety and chronic pain. The hypnotic state also increases activity in the salience network, a part of the brain that helps us focus on what is important, reinforcing the power of the therapist's suggestions.
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
The experience of being in a hypnotic state is unique to each individual, but common sensations include:
A profound sense of physical and mental relaxation, similar to the feeling you get just before falling asleep.
A feeling of being very still and calm, with your body feeling heavy or light, depending on the suggestion.
Time distortion, where a 30-minute session may feel like just a few minutes.
A heightened awareness of your internal world, including sensations, memories, and thoughts.
The ability to visualise things more vividly than usual.
It is important to remember that you are always in control and can open your eyes at any point. Most people describe the experience as a pleasant, deeply relaxing state of focused attention.
Common Applications of Clinical Hypnotherapy
By accessing the subconscious mind, clinical hypnotherapy offers a unique and powerful pathway for change. It can be used as a standalone therapy or integrated with other modalities like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Managing Anxiety and Stress: Hypnosis can help you replace feelings of panic with a sense of calm and control, addressing the root causes of anxious behaviour. By helping you reframe your reactions to stressful situations, it allows you to build a more resilient and peaceful mindset.
Overcoming Habits and Addictions: Whether it's smoking, nail-biting, or overeating, habits are deeply ingrained in the subconscious. Hypnosis helps to change the negative associations linked to these behaviours, replacing them with positive feelings of empowerment and freedom. It helps you see yourself as a non-smoker or as someone who makes healthy food choices, making it easier to stick to your goals.
Pain Management: Hypnosis has been scientifically shown to help people manage chronic pain, including headaches, migraines, and fibromyalgia. It can work by changing the brain's perception of pain signals and teaching you how to use your own mind to control discomfort. It is also used to reduce fear and anxiety related to dental procedures and even during childbirth.
Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem: A lack of confidence is often rooted in limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves. Hypnotherapy can help you reframe these negative self-beliefs and build a stronger, more positive internal self-image, empowering you to live more fully and pursue your goals.
Phobias and Fears: From a fear of flying to a fear of public speaking, phobias can be incredibly debilitating. Hypnosis can help you to safely and gradually desensitise yourself to the object of your fear by addressing the root cause and changing your subconscious reaction to it.
Potential Pitfalls and Misconceptions
Misunderstandings about hypnosis are widespread, and it is crucial to address the common myths and potential negative effects.
Myth 1: You Won't Remember Anything
While amnesia can occur in very rare cases, people generally remember everything that transpired while they were hypnotised. However, hypnosis can have a significant effect on memory. Post-hypnotic amnesia can lead an individual to forget certain things that occurred before or during hypnosis, but this effect is generally limited and temporary.
Myth 2: It Can Recover Perfect Memories
This is one of the most dangerous misconceptions about hypnosis. While it has been dramatically exaggerated in popular media, research has consistently found that hypnosis does not lead to significant memory enhancement or accuracy. In fact, relying on hypnosis for memory recall can be counterproductive, as it can inadvertently result in false or distorted memories. This makes it an unreliable tool for forensic or investigative purposes.
Myth 3: You Can Be Hypnotised Against Your Will
This is entirely false. Hypnosis requires voluntary participation on the part of the patient. While people vary in terms of how suggestible they are, a hypnotist cannot make you perform actions that are against your wishes or morals. While individuals may feel that their actions under hypnosis occurred without the influence of their will, a hypnotist has no control over a patient's ethical boundaries.
Myth 4: It Can Give You Superhuman Abilities
While hypnosis can be used to enhance performance, such as improving focus or reducing pain perception, it cannot make people stronger, faster, or more athletic than their existing physical capabilities. The benefits are psychological and neurological, not physical.
Finding a Qualified Hypnotherapist
The effectiveness of a session depends heavily on the skill and integrity of the practitioner. When seeking a clinical hypnotherapist, it is crucial to:
Ensure they are registered with a reputable professional body in your country or region. This ensures they meet a high standard of training, ethics, and supervision.
Check their qualifications and training. Look for a practitioner who has received extensive training from a well-regarded institution.
Arrange an initial consultation to discuss your needs and ensure you feel comfortable and at ease with them. A good therapeutic relationship is paramount to success.
Conclusion
By understanding what hypnosis truly is—a powerful state of focused attention—you can begin to see its potential as a tool for personal transformation. It is not about giving up control, but about gaining it. It offers a unique and powerful pathway to rewiring your relationship with yourself and your challenges. It’s an empowering journey into the power of your own mind, guided by a qualified professional.
If you're ready to take the next step towards lasting change, consider a consultation with a clinical hypnotherapist to explore how this powerful tool can work for you.
