Have you ever wondered whether hypnotherapy is the real deal or just a stage act? It's a question that often pops up when I mention that I'm a hypnotherapist. People jokingly ask if I'll make them cluck like a chicken or control their minds. Well, let's unravel the mysteries of hypnotherapy and see what science has to say.
Hypnotherapy: A Long and Surprising History
The history of hypnosis dates back to the late 18th century when Franz Mesmer, a German physician, developed mesmerism, his beliefs about the balance of magnetic power in our body, using animal magnetism. However, it vanished from the spotlight because no one really understood how it worked. Fast forward to 1843, and enter a Scottish surgeon named Dr. James Braid. He cracked the code, discovering that concentration could lead the brain into a more suggestible state, and Braid named this state "hypnosis". The famous psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, built upon the work of Braid and another contemporary, Jean Martin Charcot, and used hypnosis in his early career with his patients. While controversial at the time, physicians have continued to explore and teach this technique, showing remarkable success over the centuries.
The Magic of Hypnosis
As a hypnotherapist, I use guided visualisation to help my clients enter a state of deep relaxation. We call this state the "hypnotic state." It's not as elusive as you might think, often resembling the tranquility achieved during meditation. Ever driven a familiar route and not noticed the familiar landmarks or how you got to your destination? That is also a hypnotic state. When used in the therapy room, hypnosis makes people more open to appropriate suggestions to work on their issues, hence the term 'hypnotherapy'.
Unlocking the Brain with Science
Thanks to MRI scans, we now have a window into the brain's activity during hypnosis. We can see that hypnosis quiets down the brain region responsible for task-switching and enhances receptiveness to suggestion. This can help control vital functions like heart rate, blood flow, and breathing, allowing an enhanced connection between mind and body. Also observed under MRI scans were changes in the areas relating to self-consciousness When you’re really engaged in something, you don’t really think about doing it — you just get on with it. During hypnosis, this kind of disassociation between action and reflection allows you to engage in activities either suggested by the hypnotherapist or self-suggested without devoting mental resources to being self-conscious about the activity.
Hypnosis in the Operating Room
Here's a fascinating twist: hypnosis isn't just for therapy sessions; it's found a place in the operating room too. Studies have revealed that individuals undergoing hypno-sedation experience less pre-operative anxiety, need less pain medication during surgery, and report lower levels of post-operative pain, nausea, fatigue, and discomfort compared to those opting for general anesthesia. It has also been used extensively for managing pain during childbirth.
Addressing the Sceptics
Despite mounting evidence, hypnosis still has its sceptics. It's not surprising given the stereotypes perpetuated by stage hypnotists. In the wrong hands, hypnosis can create false memories, sometimes with devastating consequences. However, when conducted by a trained professional and applied responsibly, modern hypnotherapy can deliver powerful results. It empowers people to take control of their lives in a positive way, leaving the clucking to the chickens! Hypnosis has been endorsed by NICE for managing chronic IBS and there is a wealth of evidence to show that hypnotherapy can
enhance the effects of psychotherapy (Rotaru and Rusu, 2015).
So, there you have it - the science-backed truth about hypnotherapy. It's not fiction; it's a valuable tool that can lead to real, positive change in people's lives.
If you'd like to explore how hypnotherapy can help you make your desired life changes, get in touch today to arrange a no-obligation consultation.
Maria Baldwin is a CNHC registered hypnotherapist, offering hypnotherapy online as well as from her therapy room in Worsley, Greater Manchester.