Can I Really Hypnotize Myself? Myths & Exciting Facts: How Hypnosis Can Help You
Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
I stared at the patterns that the sun placed on the water. The little circles of light danced and played and eventually lured me into a world of absolute peace and ecstasy. Had I died and gone to heaven? The bliss and peacefulness I felt while participating in the pool class was indescribable.
Since I am always “wondering” about things, I began to wonder, “Could I hypnotize myself”? Wow, if I could, maybe I could lose weight or be more inspired to do my household chores. If I could will myself to perform all those tasks that seem impossible, how cool would that be?
There are quite a few myths about hypnotism. Basically it's about relaxation and putting irrelevant thoughts out of your mind.
Another description of hypnosis is: “ Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness that occurs naturally. It is similar to day-dreaming, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, and guided relaxation. Clinical hypnosis is essentially day-dreaming with a purpose.” http://gawain.membrane.com/hypnosis/how_does_hypnosis_work.html
What if I could hypnotize myself and couldn’t undo it? Would I walk around like a zombie or in a “tranced' state?” Would I be in a twilight zone that is scary and that I could not escape from?
It seems to me that most of us look upon hypnosis as kind of a “vood-doo” affect. We hear some swear by it when they are trying to lose weight or quit smoking. Some are completely sure that it is some kind of performance that is staged. What is really the truth? I don’t pretend to be an expert about this subject, I am writing this as merely an observer or someone who is always “wondering.”
If There Is Such A Thing As Hypnotism, Who Can Be Hypnotized?
In my research, I found out that one has to be motivated to even have a desire to be hypnotized. It is a misconception that certain people are gullible and could easily be a prey for hypnosis. It is true that some are more receptive than others. Studies show that 60 to 80 percent of people who are hypnotized respond. There are no perfect ways to declare who will and who will not respond. However, having a positive attitude rids a person of the skepticism that would prevent them from being hypnotized. According to Steven Jay Lynn, Essentially, hypnosis makes use of a placebo effect, "but the difference is that it's not tricking the patient, . 'You're not asking patients to believe in something that doesn't exist - you're asking them to expect positive outcomes based on their own behavior, and that alone can cause the positive outcome." (Steven Jay Lynn Professor of Psychology, Director of the Psychological Clinic, Ph.D., Indiana University. Research Interests: Hypnosis, dissociation, memory, mindfulness/acceptance, experimental psychopathology, and science versus pseudoscience.)
Why Would We Want To Be Hypnotized?
There are many reasons an individual would want to be hypnotized. Some of the reasons are trying to lose weight or quit smoking. There is also chronic pain, phobias and addictions..
William Ray, a Ph.D., professor of psychology uses hypnosis for research as a tool to better understand the brain, including its response to pain.
. "We have done a variety of EEG studies," says Ray, "one of which suggests that hypnosis removes the emotional experience of pain while allowing the sensory sensation to remain. Thus, you notice you were touched but not that it hurt."
Let us not forget that for man, hypnosis has had a positive effect in their lives.
Professor Ray also said, “Despite increasing recognition by the medical establishment, popular myths about hypnosis persist, such as the belief that it is a truth serum, that it causes subjects to lose all free will, and that hypnotists can erase their clients' memories of their sessions. William Ray, can be reached at wjr@psu.edu, if you have any questions or concerns.
As I researched this most fascinating subject, I realized that I could never convey all my thoughts and what I have found out in one article, so I will write a follow up article that will explain how hypnosis works. I am very excited to see what I am going to find out about this fascinating subject.
As for my magical experience in the pool, I was relieved to find out that “yes,” to a certain level, we can hypnotize ourselves. (There are several levels). We hypnotize ourselves every day without any conscious effort. We do this by moving into four primary brain-wave patterns: alpha, beta, theta and delta, which determine our state of consciousness:
We’re all walking around hypnotized, and we’re the ones who are doing it to ourselves. Thoughts are running through our minds endlessly. And then we have thoughts about our thoughts. And don’t forget about the feelings we have about our thoughts—some intense, some subtle. This combination of recurring thoughts (at the conscious and subconscious levels) and feelings is how we hypnotize ourselves. We’ve been feeding ourselves suggestions since birth. And this is how we develop habits and create our belief systems. http://www.selfhypnosismadeez.com/blog/
Tomorrow I am going back into the pool for at least two hours.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Hi Fran :) My fantasy used to be hypnotizing my bank manager!! I'm not so keen on hypnosis, I would never want somebody else to have control over my mind.I also thought of Greg when you told me about this site, btw.Jen, you are so funny! Your bank manager? I totally get it, though. Yes, I wish Greg would join us, but I am not one to pressure anyone. I am excited that you are going to join me!!!!
Wish I could hypnotize someone. Well, it's really not that easy I guess. I do know that I have used several self-hypnosis tapes to try to beat myself into line. One I recall in particular is "Stop Procrastinating." But I have one that is an absolute wonder - It's called "From Within." I used it more as a stress reliever than anything else and it really helped. I wouldn't use the word "worked" because I really am a tough nut to get under.
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