Today is World Hypnotism Day, and according to the official website, its mission is to "remove the myths and misconceptions while promoting the truth and benefits of hypnotism to the people of the world." There are certainly many of those misconceptions around, largely due to movies and TV shows that depict eyes following a swinging watch, or people called up on stage who get suckered into acting like clucking chickens or barking dogs. But proponents say it's time to forget those old stereotypes — whether it's called hypnosis, hypnotism, or hypnotherapy, this practice is actually an effective, drug-free way to promote behavioral change.
What is hypnosis, anyway? According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, it is a tool that allows the mind to focus similar to how a magnifying glass focuses and intensifies the sun's rays. Unlike the popular myths, you're not actually unconscious while in a hypnotic state, but fully awake and in a heightened state of concentration. There are several different ways that practitioners can help individuals who are under hypnosis: They may present ideas or suggestions, encourage patients to come up with mental images that illustrate positive change, or help them better understand their underlying motivations.
Need more convincing? Hypnosis is also recognized as a valid medical procedure by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association. If you're curious, here are just a few of the ways hypnosis can help your health:
Hypnosis for weight loss: Hypnosis can help people change their eating behaviors and drop the pounds. According to a Vanderbilt University review of the scientific literature, hypnosis works best for weight-loss when combined with a behavioral weight -management plan.
Hypnosis to quit smoking: At the 2011 annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Jose Maldonado,MD, associate professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, reported that the success rate of hypnosis for smoking cessation may be as high as 64 percent.
Hypnosis for depression: Cognitive hypnotherapy, which combines hypnosis with cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps change unwanted patterns and behaviors by connecting with the subconscious mind. Experts say this treatment can help the "stuck" thought patterns that go along with depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mood disorders.
Hypnosis for pain management: Hypnosis has been used to treat both chronic types of pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome) and pain resulting from serious injury. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnotism found that hypnosis using virtual reality software reduced the intensity of pain in hospitalized trauma patients more than standard treatment alone.
What is hypnosis, anyway? According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, it is a tool that allows the mind to focus similar to how a magnifying glass focuses and intensifies the sun's rays. Unlike the popular myths, you're not actually unconscious while in a hypnotic state, but fully awake and in a heightened state of concentration. There are several different ways that practitioners can help individuals who are under hypnosis: They may present ideas or suggestions, encourage patients to come up with mental images that illustrate positive change, or help them better understand their underlying motivations.
Need more convincing? Hypnosis is also recognized as a valid medical procedure by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association. If you're curious, here are just a few of the ways hypnosis can help your health:
Hypnosis for weight loss: Hypnosis can help people change their eating behaviors and drop the pounds. According to a Vanderbilt University review of the scientific literature, hypnosis works best for weight-loss when combined with a behavioral weight -management plan.
Hypnosis to quit smoking: At the 2011 annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Jose Maldonado,MD, associate professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, reported that the success rate of hypnosis for smoking cessation may be as high as 64 percent.
Hypnosis for depression: Cognitive hypnotherapy, which combines hypnosis with cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps change unwanted patterns and behaviors by connecting with the subconscious mind. Experts say this treatment can help the "stuck" thought patterns that go along with depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mood disorders.
Hypnosis for pain management: Hypnosis has been used to treat both chronic types of pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome) and pain resulting from serious injury. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnotism found that hypnosis using virtual reality software reduced the intensity of pain in hospitalized trauma patients more than standard treatment alone.