Despite having a bad reputation and a negative connotation, hypnosis is in fact a positive process that has been used for thousands of years. Many people aren't aware that many of the commonly accepted ideas about hypnosis aren't even true. It is important to ask what is hypnosis and learn the facts so that you can make educated decisions and not spread false information.



First Thing's First

So what is hypnosis anyway? Hypnosis can be defined as the process of inducing a state of relaxation and heightened awareness. Under this state, the power of suggestion is used to inspire relaxation, self improvement, or the healing process. People in this relaxed state find it easier to acknowledge such suggestions; however, some people are more receptive to hypnosis than others.

Hypnosis, a History

Hypnosis is not a recent development or practice-it has been used for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans have been thought use have used hypnosis for therapeutic reasons in the 4th century BC. Sleep temples were popular in Egypt during ancient times. In these sleep temples, Egyptians would lie down and listen to a healer chant. This was thought to cure illness. Hypnosis was also used by doctors throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The hypnotic process was finally recognized by the United States and Britain as a useful therapeutic tool in the 1950s.

A False Stereotype and False Ideas

The stereotypical idea of what is hypnosis comes from stage hypnosis and hypnosis in the movies. These portrayals of hypnosis give the impression that hypnosis can be sued to control or manipulate people to do things-when in fact this is not true at all. There are many false ideas and misconceptions about what is hypnosis. For example, many people think that you are asleep during hypnosis.

This is not true; one remains awake at all times during hypnosis. Other people think that some sort of amnesiac state will occur after hypnosis and that it will be impossible to remember anything that happened-wrong again! Someone who is being hypnotized will be able to remember everything after the process is over.

So what are some true things about what is hypnosis? Well, it is true that everyone can be hypnotized, though some are more susceptible than others. It is also true that hypnosis is a natural state of mind; in fact, the technical names for the states of mind are either the alpha or theta states of mind.

By asking what is hypnosis, perhaps we can finally separate the true meaning of hypnosis from the stereotypes that have been associated with it for thousands of years.