5 Things You Never Knew You Never Knew About Hypnosis

Despite its popularity around the world, hypnosis remains shrouded in mystery. Here we will shed some light on this widely misunderstood and fascinating therapy.

1. Hypnosis is a natural state you enter all the time

Many people claim that they are unhypnotizable or that hypnosis just won’t work for them. The truth is that each day we are moving in and out of different levels of trance that are scientifically measurable through brain waves. Whenever you zone out at work, become deeply engrossed in a good book, or lose track of where you’re driving and then magically arrive at your destination, you’re entering trance.

The job of a hypnotist is to help you access profound states of trance in which your subconscious, or unconscious mind is more open to receiving positive suggestions. The reason this process can be so powerful is because your subconscious mind dictates approximately 95% of all your beliefs and behaviors. When you tap into that 95%, very significant and empowering changes can occur.

2. Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness

Many people equate hypnosis with a loss of control or consciousness. The word hypnosis even has its roots in the Greek word for sleep. However, hypnotherapy actually involves entering a state of great focus and heightened awareness. While in trance, you are aware and in control the entire time and the hypnotherapist can’t make you do something you aren’t comfortable doing.

3. Hypnotherapy is old-very old

More than 4,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians were practicing a form of hypnosis in what are known as sleep temples. These were places in which ceremonial chanting and other techniques were used to induce a state of trance and help individuals overcome various ailments. Rituals involving hypnotic inductions were also carried out in other ancient cultures such as China, Greece and India.

4. Hypnosis has many scientifically proven benefits

Numerous scientific studies have proven hypnotherapy as a safe and effective tool for a wide variety of conditions. Studies reflect the power of hypnosis to reduce and manage pain as well as relieve depression, stress and anxiety. Research also has shown the power of hypnosis to help people overcome addictions, lose weight, shed bad habits, increase self-esteem, memorize things more easily, boost athletic performance and much more.

5. Hypnosis has been widely used by celebrities, professional athletes and other notable individuals

Ellen Degeneres, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon successfully quit smoking through hypnosis. During their recent pregnancies, both Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton utilized hypnosis to prepare for childbirth. Phil Jackson, the winningest coach in NBA history, used hypnosis with superstar players including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to help power his teams to victory. Even Albert Einstein was known to self-hypnotize daily.