Hypnosis: An altered state of consciousness

Have you ever been totally absorbed while reading a book, cooking or watching a movie? Did you zone out to the point where you didn't notice what else was going on around you? If so, you've experienced a type of trance-like state or focused attention that's similar to what happens to you during hypnosis.

Although its medical uses aren't entirely understood, hypnosis, when provided by a certified hypnotherapist or other qualified clinician, appears to help with a variety of health conditions. These range from helping to control pain to easing the symptoms of asthma.

What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is an altered state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist and is different from your everyday awareness.

When you're under hypnosis:
-Your attention is more focused.
- You're more responsive to suggestions.
-You're more open and less critical or disbelieving.

The purpose of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique is to help you gain more control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being.

It's not clear how hypnosis works. However, it appears to affect how your brain communicates with your body through nerve impulses, hormones and body chemicals, such as neuropeptides. Hypnotherapists say that hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and quiets the mind. When you're hypnotized, you can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions. You're more open than usual to suggestions, and this can be used to change your behavior and thereby improve your health and well-being.

Who is hypnosis for?
Hypnotherapy has the potential to help relieve the symptoms of a wide variety of diseases and conditions. It can be used independently or along with other treatments. For example, it's one of several relaxation methods for treating chronic pain that has been approved by an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health.

According to preliminary studies, hypnotherapy may be used to:
-Change negative behaviors, such as smoking, bed-wetting and overeating.
-Reduce fear, stress and anxiety
-Eliminate or decrease the intensity of phobias
-Treat pain during childbirth and reduce labor time
-Control pain during dental and surgical procedures
-Relieve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
-Lower blood pressure
- Control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
-Reduce the intensity or frequency of headaches, including migraines
-Treat and ease the symptoms of asthma
-Hasten the healing of some skin diseases, including warts, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Hasten the healing of some skin diseases, including warts, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis Although hypnosis may have the potential to help with a wide variety of conditions, it's not a magic bullet. It's typically used as one part of a broader, more comprehensive treatment plan rather than as a stand-alone therapy. Like any other therapy, hypnosis can be very helpful to some people and fail with others. It seems to work best when you're highly motivated and your therapist is well trained and understands your particular problem.

Isnt it a interesting topic to learn about, in the next part will let u guys know the myths of hypnosis....keep waiting :)