Does Hypnotism Work
How does hypnotism work? Is it just some stunt dreamed up by burnt out psychiatrists who are fed up of listening to middle aged men wine incessantly about how they may have the body of an soap dodging, obese alcoholic but inside they feel like an Olympic athlete and don't understand why their wives can't see the man within? (sorry got a bit carried away there)
Firstly, if the question is "does hypnotism work?" then you need to understand what you mean by "work". Can hypnosis make you learn quantum mechanics in a day, will it make you invisible or put you in touch with your inner spirit animal. (Funny how people always think it's a leopard or an eagle it's never a rabbit or a toad is it?). Well no! Hypnotism can't do anything like that because that's impossible.
Hypnotism is not some hippie, mystic babble or the latest marketing ploy from the back street marketing company. Hypnosis is based upon thousands of years of humanitarian and medical practice and research. The techniques that have been developed are founded in empirical science not written on the back of coffee stained menu card. It comes in many forms but methods such as Ericksonian Hypnosis have been used by hypnotherapists the world over as an extremely effective treatment for a variety of psychological disorders from severe drug addiction to low self esteem and personality disorder.
So why does hypnotism work? It works because the existence of the subconscious and conscious mind, or cognitive function if you prefer, is undeniable. It works because it uses imagery that we can each relate to as individuals to make suggestions to the subconscious. It is the subconscious that maintains our belief structures, value systems and ideologies. It is the place where we store the lessons learned fro the knowledge we've gained and the experiences we've had. Hypnotism enables the hypnotist to work with the subconscious to introduce new concepts and ways of functioning. In this way behavior can be modified.
Just ask anyone who stands up and clucks like a chicken every time someone says the word "cheesecake" (it's OK! You can sit down now).
How does hypnotism work? Is it just some stunt dreamed up by burnt out psychiatrists who are fed up of listening to middle aged men wine incessantly about how they may have the body of an soap dodging, obese alcoholic but inside they feel like an Olympic athlete and don't understand why their wives can't see the man within? (sorry got a bit carried away there)
Other articles you might be interested in:
The Power of Conversational Hypnosis: Review & Results
Does Hypnosis Work
Does Conversational Hypnosis Work