[maggiemae]

I'm looking for feedback from people who have experience with hypnosis, either positive or negative.
Also, can you really learn to hynotize yourself?! This is something I've always been scared of but a practitioner has asked me to consider it.
Thanks -

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes I have experience in it both stage show and hypnotherapy

All hypnosis even that with a practitioner is considered self hypnosis, since you are really doing it to yourself by your thinking and relaxing.
The Practitioner is only guilding you.

Most but not all people can be hypnosised. You can do pure self , I even used to sell tapes for stop smoking throughout a several state area.
** still got some left over from the last run.

It is nothing to be scared of, it is relaxing and can make you feel great.

Now also why are you doing this, what do you want to find out or what problem do you want to solve, You can go back to grade school in your mind and remember all sorts of facts. It can help you stop smoking or diet. Now some people try to sell it to make you a better golfer, or to make your breasts larger, so in this like all things there are snake oil salespeople also.

What school did this Pactitioner go to ? Are they qualified if you need counseling? Are they certified by any Boards. There are a few national boards for this. American Board of Hypnotherapy is the oldest from what I remember. But there are several others now.

And of course they can make you quack like a duck to

[transcends]

Hi
I agree with FR Chuck, hypnosis is nothing to be scared of. In fact when you consider that most examples of hypnosis include daydreaming, and all of us daydream at some point in our day, then you have in fact experienced hypnosis already.

Self hypnosis is very similar in my opinion to meditation and look how often meditation is used in many religions, yoga and other healthy practices.
Best wishes

[Lord_Darkclaw]

I'm looking for feedback from people who have experience with hypnosis, either positive or negative.
Also, can you really learn to hynotize yourself??!! This is something I've always been scared of but a practitioner has asked me to consider it.
Thanks -

Hi Maggie, I'm not an expert but I've read plenty about hypnosis over the years and I have seen no evidence whatsoever that it is a real phenomenon; there is however, ample evidence supporting the position that hypnosis is NOT real.

"Suggestion" is real enough; advertisements, movies, music, stories, all have a real effect on how people think and feel, but the dramatic stage hypnosis routines you may have seen on television are just acts, nothing more.

Some unscrupulous stage hypnotists will use tricks to convince skeptics, such as using chemical-coated foil that heats up on skin contact to make the subject believe that they are hallucinating the sensation of the scrunched-up foil burning their hand, when in fact, it really is burning!

The bottom line, is that there is no "hypnotic effect" that cannot be replicated by normal means; such as simply asking a person to perform an action.

[valinors_sorrow]

You have some good responses here to which I would only add this. I have been hypnotized several times. It was for therapy purposes. I found it to be quite pleasant-- refreshing like a short nap. Once I simply fell asleep LOL.

There are various stages to consciousness and one that is very like hypnosis is called zoning. We experience zoning when we drive long distances (it can be bad as highway hypnosis) or do things so interesting that when we look at the clock, hours have flown by.

Its long been understood that its easier to make changes to oneself in certain modes of consciousness and also emotional states. Like for example, while grieving its possible to rearrange some psychological stuff in yourself easier than at other times. Or when you are drifting off to sleep, there is another more "programmable" period for humans. This is part of the appeal of some meditations too, as Transcends mentions.

If you are scared it probably won't work. Fortunately the human psyche is set up for automatic defense of itself.

[blkcthoney2]

I have used hypnosis for several things and the hypnotist helps you to reach a very relaxed state and gives suggestions to your subconscious to effect behavioral change. I stopped smoking over 20 years ago through hypnosis after just one session. I believe you need to have a real desire to stop and it will work. I also had a drinking problem that was resolved in the same way. I can now drink socially with no problem, although most times, I choose not to. Used hypnosis to stop my daughter's thumb-sucking nearly 20 years ago; again, one session. I also tried it for weight loss; that didn't work for me. Recently, I was diagnosed with metatastic breast cancer and am currently undergoing chemotherapy. To help with the side affects and fear, I am using a technique called "guided imagery" which is similar to hypnosis but, I think, more effective. I experience no nausea and feel no fear, I'm very comfortable with everything. Visit Guided Imagery Meditation Music Cd's by Medical Hypnosis & Biofeedback Specialist. I'm on low dose chemo, so I am not sure I would have experienced nausea; I started the guided imagery prior to starting chemo. However, I fully expected to be nauseous, but that has not happened. There are loads of testimonials from others. I hope this helps someone.

[tauthail]

Maggie,

Yes you can learn self hypnosis. There are a lot of myths about hypnosis and it is
Important to discuss this with your practitioner.


Rich;)

[Josh_A]

My first intro to alternative healthcare was with a hypnotherapist... I saw her for 8 sessions and it changed a lot for me. After that, I started seeing other types of practitioners, and didn't see another hypnotherapist for about 6 years. I just started seeing one again and really glad to have found him.

It's now an integral part of how I take care of myself and manage my personal growth. I took his self-hypnosis class and his Personal Thinking Patterns class, both of which have helped a lot.

Not all hypnotherapists are created equal. I am personally not a fan of those who only do "passive suggestion", where you sit back and they feed statements into your subconscious. I like to be an active participant in visualizations, timeline therapy, creating anchors, etc.

I also like to combine hypno with acupuncture... I had to find the right acupuncturist first, who was willing to help me work on creating deep change. After I get those needle treatments, I see the hypnotherapist to take them deeper.

[acheybreakyheart]

Yes!! HYpnosis does work!! And you need not be scared about it as you will be in full sense when you are under hypnosis... its just that you will be in a relaxed state of mind and too close to your subconsisous mind... Alll the best