Demystifying the Powers of Hypnosis

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believeHypnosis was used as an effective and rapid
it can achieve." - Napolean Hilltreatment for "shell shock", now referred to as
Hypnosis is an enjoyable, easy and effective way topost-traumatic stress disorders, following World War
change our bad habits into good ones and ourI, World War II, and the Korean War.
negative feelings into positive ones. All of ourThe American Medical Association approved hypnosis
emotions, beliefs, and habits reside in theas an effective treatment in 1958 and recommended
subconscious mind and hypnosis provides directthat training in hypnosis be included in medical school
access to the subconscious mind to replace anycurriculum. Hypnosis and guided imagery continue to
negatives with powerful, positive beliefs.be integrated into modern medical and health care
While many people think of it as "deep sleep",systems.
hypnosis is a comfortable and relaxed state thatThe National Institute of Health recognizes hypnosis
focuses attention and concentration, bypasses theas a Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
conscious mind filter, and allows the subconscioustreatment modality and continues to fund research
mind to be open and receptive to positiveto validate the importance of hypnosis.
suggestions, tapping into the power of theResearch results have shown dramatic results in a
body-mind connection. Most people experience avariety of areas, particularly as an adjunct to
heightened state of awareness when they areconventional cancer treatments and for pain
hypnotized, while only about 10% will enter into amanagement. Moving even more into the traditional
state where their mind is so relaxed that they do notarenas of medical care, hypnosis remains as one of
remember the session.the most powerful healing modalities by utilizing the
People experience this natural, normal state at leastpower of the subconscious mind in motivating the
twice each day - before they go to sleep and whenmind-body connection for balance and health.
they wake up. If you have experienced arrivingHypnosis is probably best known for breaking habits
somewhere and can't remember actually drivingwith stop smoking and weight loss success and yet it
there, or if you have missed a freeway exit thenhas been found to be effective in reducing and
you have been in a natural hypnotic state oftenmanaging stress, achieving deep relaxation, increasing
referred to as "highway hypnosis".energy, overcoming fears, overcoming insomnia, and
Natural hypnosis may also occur when you becomereducing the experience of pain.
so involved in an activity, reading a book, or watchingHypnosis has also been shown to be effective in
a movie that everything else seems to be blockedovercoming test anxiety, improving test
out, even to the point of not hearing people whoperformance, improving sports performance,
talk to you. Whenever concentration is intense, it'simproving motivation, setting and achieving goals,
easy to slip into a natural hypnotic state.improving memory and concentration, increasing self
Hypnosis has been used for thousands of years as aconfidence, and building self-esteem.
powerful tool to help and heal. Early records mark theMost of us have habits or feelings that we've tried
Egyptian sleep temples and the Temple ofto change and yet nothing we do seems to make a
Aesculapius in Greece as sites where hypnosis wasdifference. We know how we want to act and feel,
used as an important part of the healing treatment.but our decision-making and will power doesn't seem
The ancient Hawaiian Kahuna's, healing masters,to be enough to have any lasting effect. Although
routinely used hypnosis in their healing practices. Aour conscious mind has made a decision to change,
resurgence of the use of hypnosis began in thethe beliefs and ideas held in our subconscious mind
1700's with the work of an Austrian physician namedwon't allow the change to take place. Hypnosis allows
Franz Anton Mesmer. In the 1800's Dr. James Braidthe subconscious mind to move into agreement with
brought hypnosis to the medical arena with his workconscious desires and goals so you can live a life of
in hypnoanesthesia.freedom and success!