subject: The Myths And Truths Of Hypnosis [print this page] When most people hear the word "hypnosis", the first thing they will instantly think of is the typical portrayal of the procedure that is seen on TV and in movies. There are even hypnosis stage shows where someone tries to put audience members into a hypnotic state. These shows usually feature people walking around stage clucking like chickens and doing other ridiculous things in front of an audience. These shows are either pre-arranged beforehand or people just play along, not wanting to seem like a buzz kill in front of others. These are just some of the truths and myths of hypnosis.
A list of the truths and myths of hypnosis includes many things that many people may not realize. For example, most people, based on what they see on television, believe that when someone is put into a hypnotic state, that they are really asleep. That is actually not true, as they are very much awake. When someone undergoes a session of hypnosis, they are very relaxed and very tranquil, almost as if they are in a trance. Some people have compared it to daydreaming, where you are awake, but your mind is wandering somewhere else, making you unaware of things happening right around you.
Another thing on the truths and myths of hypnosis list is that the person performing the hypnotherapy doesn't really have any control over your actions. You are still awake and alert just enough that you can stop at any time if you wish. In other words, you are not going to be walking around acting like a chicken like you might have seen in a stage hypnosis performance. You are in control and are acting under your own free will. The setting that hypnosis provides, which is a tranquil, relaxed state, is what allows you to be more open to suggestion than you normally would be. This is why hypnotherapy works in helping some people to quit smoking or lose weight.
A list of the truths and myths of hypnosis could go on and on, but the main thing to keep in mind is that the actual treatment session is not really anything like what you see in the movies. They usually exaggerate quite a bit, showing someone swinging a pendulum back and forth, while telling the patient "You're getting sleepy. Very sleepy." But those depictions are simply not true. You are not asleep, you are fully awake and you are in control of your actions.
