What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is one of the most efficient, safe, cost effective, and enjoyable therapies. After receiving a session of hypnosis my clients often express feelings of profound peace and relaxation. Hypnosis is a very relaxed state of focused concentration.

The word "hypnosis" comes from the greek word "sleep". Yet, when your receive hypnosis you are not unconscious or asleep. In fact, when an individual is hypnotized they are in a highly focused state of concentration or hyper-attentiveness. It's sort of like being so focused on the movie you are watching that you are no longer aware of your surroundings and are completely connected to what is on the screen.


Information below adapted from Mayo Clinic and Oregon Health Sciences University

The Mayo Clinic says this about hypnosis:

Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is a trance-like state of mind. It is usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist and is different from your everyday awareness. When you're under hypnosis:

  • Your attention is more focused
  • You're deeply relaxed and calm
  • You're more open to suggestions, and less critical or disbelieving

The purpose of hypnosis is to help you gain more control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being. Hypnotherapy has the potential to help relieve the symptoms of a wide variety of diseases and conditions. It can be used independently or along with other treatments. For example, it's one of several relaxation methods for treating chronic pain that has been approved by an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health.

Hypnosis and the brain

There are four levels of brain wave activity, Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. The top level, Beta, is complete consciousness. The deepest level, Delta, is deep unconscious sleep. The middle two levels, Alpha and Theta, are simply more relaxed states than total consciousness but above deep sleep. This is what is referred to as the hypnotic state of mind. Alpha is a daydream state much like when your driving on the highway and drift off a bit. Theta is when you are in a dream state, above deep sleep. The light relaxed state of Alpha is all that is necessary to achieve in order to make behavior changes. This is why many people do not think they are "hypnotized" because we have been mislead as to what hypnosis really is.

A key to hypnotic success

One of the most important factors regarding the use of hypnosis is a combination of three things. Belief, Expectancy, and Desire. You must have a belief and desire for it to work on the issue you are treating. If you expect positive things to come from your experience then you are going to be far more open to hypnotic suggestions as you CAN NOT be controlled by the hypnotherapist. If you do hypnosis with a closed mind you will leave without change. Only you can open the door to change, as your hypnotherapist, I can only guide you.


Sample brain wave activity

Beta Waves
Fully awake and alert

 betawave

Alpha Waves
Daydreaming
Awaking in the morning
Meditating Hypnosis

 alphawave

Theta Waves
Deep hypnosis, deep meditation
Associated with dreamlike imagery, insights,
and long-forgotten memories.

 thetawave

Delta Waves
Slowest of all four brain wave frequencies. Associated with deep sleep, healing, and regeneration of body cells.

 deltawave

Oregon Health Sciences University explains how hypnosis works:

Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation that is believed to alter brain wave patterns. During hypnosis you may be given suggestions that could help to change your perception of pain and strengthen your coping abilities. Nine out of 10 people can be hypnotized. However, hypnotism will not work if you do not want to be hypnotized or do not want to feel out of control.

When hypnotized, a person's heart rate decreases, body temperature changes, and blood flow to certain areas is reduced. It is not known exactly how hypnosis works but it is not believed to have harmful side effects. The success of the treatment depends partly on the skill of the practitioner and partly on the patient's willingness to undergo hypnosis. The state of deep relaxation can divert attention from pain and other negative stimuli. Hypnotism even can be used as a pain reliever during certain surgeries, such as dental surgery.


American Society of Clinical Hypnosis further describes hypnosis:

"Although a popular misconception is that hypnosis is a form of unconsciousness resembling sleep, contemporary research suggests that it is actually a wakeful state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility with diminished peripheral awareness."