If you’ve seen hypnosis in the movies, it looks like a complex and mysterious way of mind control that can make you do things uncontrollably. Of course, this is not the truth behind hypnosis. But how does it really work?

Does it really work without controlling the mind?

How will your mind be affected?

All your questions are answered here!

How does hypnosis work in the mind?

In a nutshell, hypnosis opens a gateway to the subconscious mind; allowing us to accept new perceptions and beliefs. There is still not a clear scientific explanation for how and why hypnosis works the way it works but what we know is that during hypnosis, brain waves slow down, and the parts of the brain responsible for cognitive function and emotional regulation light up.

Hypnosis as a state prepares the mind to be more receptive to suggestions, and vivid visualizations; influencing the nervous system and emotions by rearranging past experiences and learned behaviors in the subconscious mind.

What can hypnosis help with? 

The subconscious mind’s power is limitless, so one can improve many different areas of life with the help of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis works great with life improvement issues such as weight loss, quitting smoking, or fears because most of us have learned associations about food, smoking, or eating habits at very early ages. Hypnotherapy helps us modify these associations or rescript past events subconsciously.

Hypnotherapy is also great for enhancing brain power such as increasing motivation, focus or enhancing performance. During hypnosis, visualizations are very vivid, almost as if something is happening. This allows the subconscious mind to be trained and conditioned to have a positive expectancy.

Finally, hypnosis works best with improving mind-body issues such as chronic pain, sensitive gut issues or tinnitus. Especially when it comes to discomfort, modifying the way one perceives pain subconsciously can provide significant long-term relief. Of course, anytime there is a clinical issue, it’s necessary to work with a clinical hypnotherapist.

Effectiveness of hypnosis in comparison to traditional therapy 

I find that the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in comparison to other therapies depends on the person and the topic. For example, for quitting smoking, hypnosis is proven to be significantly more effective than any other therapies. However, when it comes to a clinical issue such as a personality disorder, other therapies can be more helpful.

Overall, since hypnotherapy influences the subconscious mind, the results are quick, effective, and to the point. Additionally, many studies show that the effects of hypnosis have proven to be long-term, helping people create a healthy lifestyle overall.

Use of hypnosis in conjunction with other treatments

When hypnotherapy is used in conjunction with other therapies, the internal changes will start blooming quickly and naturally. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy help with in-depth understanding and conscious processing. Hypnosis takes it further and helps internalize these new perspectives subconsciously.  

Hypnosis can be very helpful with other alternative methods such as breathwork, psychedelic therapies, or energy healing as well. These methods can surface lots of difficult emotions. Hypnotherapy can facilitate subconscious release and integration as well as help the person have a clear mindset about moving forward.

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