Does the idea of hypnosis bring to mind a well-dressed gentleman swinging a pocket watch, commanding you to bark like a dog when he claps his hands?
You’re not alone in that. Many people see hypnosis as nothing more than a performance or stage trick. How can it work, if it’s not possible to control someone’s mind?
It’s true: Mind control doesn’t lie within the realm of possibility, but true hypnosis doesn’t involve any type of control. It’s simply a method for putting you in a relaxed state of consciousness, similar to a meditative state or trance, where you focus your attention internally.
This state of extreme relaxation can, however, make you more receptive to certain suggestions. When used by a trained professional, hypnosis can have many therapeutic benefits, including reduced pain and anxiety.
Hypnotherapy, or the use of hypnosis in therapy, can also help bring about behavioral change for some people. Scientific…
