What is hypnosis?     

Hypnosis conjures up visions of mysterious men in long black capes who dangle gold watches in front of the eyes of mesmerized subjects. There may yet be such entertainers, but the modern hypnotherapist is likely to hold a degree in medicine, dentistry, psychology or has had extensive training in hypnosis and became a certified hypnotherapist.

In the wake of medicine's growing recognition of the role of psychological factors in illness; hypnosis has become a recognized therapeutic tool in the treatment of smoke addiction, weight control, phobias, physical pain and mental disorders.

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which feels like something between sleeping and waking, and has qualities of both these states. In general, hypnotized subjects find that their body is deeply relaxed, almost in a state of sleep, while their subconscious mind becomes very alert. This state of consciousness is what makes hypnosis an excellent tool for unlocking buried memories, or for discovering hidden motives.

A hypnotic state can be induced in a number of ways. The therapist may have the patient relax and focus on a spot until the eyes become heavy, or roll the eyes up into the head and then shut them, or imagine that an arm feels lighter and lighter until it seems to float in the air, or fantasize about lying on a beach.

What happens next depends on the therapist and the particular problem. One of the most promising aspects of hypnosis is its ability to help some people live with chronic pain, such as that caused by back ailments or cancer.  While in trance, patients have learned to escape pain by visualizing themselves in another place or imagining that the aching is numb.