A majority of us have all witnessed the ever popular hypnotist stage shows. Where a man with a microphone tells a large group of seemingly normal participants to do bizarre things such as quack like a duck or act like a rockstar. The best part? They usually do it and look like complete idiots.
But have you ever wondered if everyone on stage was in fact unconscious and under the control of a stranger they have never met? The truth is, they aren't. Hypnosis is just a set of techniques that provide people with SUGGESTIONS for alterations in their perceptions, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. For example, they are in a somewhat dreary state, so when the hypnotist tells them its FREEZING cold and they are shivering the easiest scenario played out in their head is that it is indeed cold and they are in fact shivering. One way to look at it is that people under hypnosis can be compared to kids who get lost within the role they play in a game with friends.
Hypnosis cannot turn people intro mindless robots, but it actually can be affective for reasons such as treating pain or medical conditions. It can even boost the effectiveness of therapies for anxiety, obesity and other conditions.
When used in a serious and professional setting, hypnosis can actually be a very positive treatment.
I tried hypnotherapy before, and I thought it was a crock. But, I guess it does depend on your expectations going into it and if you have a talented person performing it. In theory, This could be a very helpful treatment, but it is extremely hard to determine whether or not any of what is uncovered is genuine. A lot more studies should have been done before it was authorized as a treatment.
Although the majority believe that hypnosis is fake, its strange to think that it could potentially enhance medical treatment. Most people think that hypnosis is either a complete fake or complete magic, but they rarely consider that the participants still enter a dreamy middle state that helps enhance the power of suggestions given by others. I guess hypnosis isn't all bad, although a lot more research would definitely have to be done to prove if that middle state is really effective!