The top 6 myths of Hypnosis. Hypnosis has been around for many centuries and millions of people have undergone hypnotic therapy. Furthermore many have seen hypnosis in action when attending events and live on TV. Hypnosis has become highly familiar to people all around the world. It is also amazing just how many misconceptions there are about hypnosis. In fact, today, myths about hypnosis still exist.
Top 6 myths of hypnosis explained
The hypnosis myths that still exist are often ones that make sense. It is because people do not understand how hypnosis works. What is true is that hypnosis can create a number of interesting effects on the mind. Audio or visual hallucinations or feeling less pain are a few.
However, that does not mean that hypnosis can do everything. Plus, many of the things millions of people think it can do are simply not true. Let’s put to rest some very common hypnosis myths. These will help you gain a better understanding of how it really works on the mind.
Top 6 Myths of Hypnosis -It is Not Sleep
This is arguably the most common of the top 6 myths of hypnosis. People close their eyes during hypnosis and look peaceful and therefore may look asleep. The truth is that they are far from being asleep.
We know that they are not asleep because their brainwave pattern indicates a heightened sense of concentration. A brain scan of a hypnotised subject will show a very high level of alpha waves. This indicates that they are awake, highly responsive and very alert.
Top 6 Myths of Hypnosis- Mentally Weak
Mentally weak and uneducated people are easier to hypnotise according to some people’s belief. The truth is that it is probably the opposite. In fact, the more intelligent you are and the more powerful your self-control, the easier you can be hypnotised.
In fact, those with mental health issues may find it difficult to focus. Ultimately, hypnosis relies on concentration. If you can concentrate then you can be more easily hypnotised. Usually, about one in every three people are more likely to try and resist being hypnotised for various reasons. However, even this can be overcome if someone is resisting.
When hypnotised you are not helpless.
People have different responses to hypnotism. However, the truth is that they are far from being helpless. People in hypnosis still keep their core values, morals and standards of behaviour just like their normal state. It is actually difficult to get people to do what they normally would not do in public.
However, the silly things people do on stage under hypnosis may be due in large part to their personality type. In essence, if a person who enjoys attention would bark like a dog to get people to look at them, why would they somehow not do it under a state of hypnosis?
Ultimately, hypnosis on the stage does involve a heightened level of suggestion. It works because the person on stage is willing. They feel comfortable following the commands in these situations.
Hypnosis can Retrieve Long Forgotten Memories
This is also one of the most popular of the top 6 myths of hypnosis. Furthermore, many believe this is true along with trained professionals such as psychologists as well as those who practice hypnotherapy. However, the truth is that the opposite is more likely. Any memories buried deep in the mind will not only stay there, but false memories can be put in their place.
When a person is under a heightened state of suggestion, it means that a hypnotist may even unwillingly plant false memories that seem just as real as what might have happened to a person long ago. Hypnosis simply does not work in a manner that activates memory cells that have long been deactivated.
Therefore, the person placed under hypnosis in a Hollywood film to remember the face of a killer long forgotten is pure fiction, albeit an entertaining piece of fiction.
Hypnosis Takes Several Sessions to “Cure” Someone
Another of the top 6 myths of hypnosis. You can quit smoking or get rid of a phobia n just one or 2 sessions. However, the very idea that one session of hypnosis will cure depression or cure an illness is unlikely. It takes several sessions over time to have any real impact, just like with many traditional therapies.
However, many people have claimed it only took one session of hypnotherapy to work for them as it makes a great story. Using hundreds of nicotine patches over two years to finally quit does not make for a very entertaining story.
It can take one, six, or more sessions for a person to receive the true benefits of hypnotherapy. It often needs additional support in order for the sessions to have a real impact. Still, many misunderstand their abilities to overcome some problems and expect overnight miracles. There are those who think if they close their eyes during hypnosis for weight loss they will wake up slim!
Most People have been hypnotised.
In fact, most people have experienced a level of hypnosis in their lives whether they realise it or not. To go into hypnosis you don’t need a hypnotist. In fact, one of the most common states of hypnosis occurs when you have been driving long distances.
This state known as “reflective driving” is where the conscious mind has disassociated itself from the body. Then, the unconscious part of the brain still takes care of all the functions of the vehicle. Often you cannot remember the last several blocks or miles that you have driven. However, you have executed a number of stops, turns and lane changes. This is an example of when you have been in a mild hypnotic state.
23 Comments
Kara Jacobs
September 19, 2014This is really interesting. I went to see a hypnotherapist 3 years ago as I was terrified of dogs and it was making going out more and more difficult especially as a neighbour had a dog which would bark as I walked by his gate. I was really reluctant and sceptical and all through the session was convinced it couldn’t possible be working as I was very aware of everything going on. It wasn’t until the next day I realised I had walked past the neighbours gate and didn’t even register that the dog had barked until my sister pointed it out in amazement. Now, 3 years on I even have my own little dog and am forever grateful to that hypnotist .
Mark Stevens
September 23, 2014Mt wife was cajoled into going along to a hypnosis slimming class with her work colleagues. When she came home I asked her how it had gone and she told me that although she had found it relaxing, she thought it was a load of bull as she was awake the whole time and remembered everything the hypnotist had said. The next evening we went out for a meal and she turned her nose up at dessert – at first! That weekend I was out with my friends and came home from the pub with my usual chinese takeaway. In the past she would say she didn’t want any as she was trying to be ‘good’ but would end up eating half of it anyway. That night she showed no interest and I suggested that perhaps after all the hypnosis was working. Again, she said no, she just didn’t want anything. She’d paid for a 4 week programme and so went back and it wasn’t until she heard all the other participants feedback that she realised that yes, the hypnosis had indeed helped her make better choices. At the end of the 4 weeks she had lost 15lb and had so much energy and confidence. She continued to lose weight even although she wasn’t following a ‘plan’ counting calories or talking incessantly about ‘sins’ much to my delight. She said at the end that it was like a weight off her shoulders not constantly being ruled by one diet or another and now she and her work colleagues apparently now talk about clothes and what next to buy. I have a wife who now feels good about her image and for the first time in years let me buy her sexy lingerie so I have a lot to thank that hypnotist for. I was so impressed I booked up to see him and finally got over my fear of flying so last year we went on our first holiday abroad in years and we both had a fantastic time with me not dreading the trip and she being able to wear a costume without being self conscious and covering up by the pool. Hypnosis is much more powerful than you think and not anything how you imagine it will be like.
William
September 29, 2014Interesting read. I always hear that hypnosis could be used to retrieve past memories that have been squirreled away in our minds for whatever reason. I even tried this a few times; no wonder it didn’t work.
Ross
September 30, 2014Hmm, curious. DO you believe that hypnosis can be used to reduce the symptoms of dementia. I was told that when I was taking care of my father. But, if hypnosis can’t use to recover memories, then this does seem possible.
Biodun
September 30, 2014Yes, you don’t need to recover past memories. What is important is moving froward and if the individual has the ability to remember certain things that are important to them then using that ability and associating it to things they are forgetting. It is about using an individuals inherent skills. It reminds me of one lady who was diagnosed with dementia, she was very religious and remembered to do her prayers everyday at the same time. You see she must have a strategy to remember her prayers
Parker
September 30, 2014The second myth, “Hypnosis Works on All Minds, not just the ‘Weak’”, is very interesting. I’ve heard that hypnosis didn’t work (or at least didn’t work as well) with people who were strong willed.
Biodun
September 30, 2014The more strong willed you are the easier you will actually go into hypnosis. Hypnosis is all about a focused state of attention and if you have the ability to be so strong minded to resist hypnosis then that focus and state can be used to assist someone to enter hypnosis. Hypnosis is a trance state and a state we access all day long such as day dreaming
Calista
September 30, 2014The wording of the last myth is odd –I think you mean to say “You’ve never been hypnotized before.” It’s true that this is a myth. We enter hypnotic states regularly and don’t even realize. In addition to the example you provided, we also enter this state when we fall asleep and when we wake up.
Biodun
September 30, 2014Thanks for pointing that out, i have changed it
Trevor
October 1, 2014Accurate list. I would also add that it is a myth that you are helpless when you’re under hypnosis. This is not true and people buy too easily into stage hypnosis.
Sean
October 1, 2014Cool. I didn’t know many of these weren’t true. Is it true that you can’t lie when you’re under hypnosis?
Biodun
October 1, 2014Whatever you can do in a waking state you can do in hypnosis
Regards
Phoebe
October 1, 2014This is an informative list of hypnosis myths, Biodun. Do you mind if I use this in my lecture (with full attribution, of course)?
Biodun
October 1, 2014Yes of course you may use it for your lecture
Regards
Bradley
October 1, 2014Interesting! I definitely believed that some of these were true.
Brian
October 2, 2014I utilize hypnosis in my profession and I’m glad to see articles on popular websites that dispel myths about hypnosis. I’ve had to provide more disclaimers and manage expectations so my patients are fully aware of what hypnosis is/isn’t and what it can/can’t do.
Sharon
October 2, 2014Ah, this is cool. Is it possible to tell when a person is hypnotized? Like, how do you know when you’ve successfully hypnotized someone?
Biodun
October 3, 2014Hypnosis is a natural state of trance which we access all day long. Day dreaming, engrossed in a film or book, sitting at the traffic lights and they change yet the person is still sitting there.
Shawna
October 3, 2014Glad I read this. I’ve been looking into making an appointment with a hypnotherapist, but have been apprehensive because I believe some of these myths were true. I didn’t want to reveal be under the full control of some unethical hypnotist who would take advantage of my state.
Joe
October 3, 2014How timely. I’m taking a class on hypnotism and instructor was just going on discussing the myths that are associated with hypnotism.
Laurel
October 3, 2014Can you recommend any research studies related to hypnotism?
Biodun
October 3, 2014sure here are some links
http://digest.bps.org.uk/2013/08/neuroscience-gets-serious-about-hypnosis.html
http://hypnosis.tools/scientific-research.html
Alex
October 3, 2014Sharing this with my friends. So many of them believe the myths that you’ve debunked.