Hypnosis is a technique that is used to lead oneself or others to a level of awareness or consciousness that is different from the normal. This state is often compared to a state of trance where the level of perception of the individual under hypnosis is altered to a state that allows increased suggestibility.

Though generally not identified with clinical hypnosis all of us undergo hypnotic trances every day at various levels. Examples of activities that take us to various levels of hypnotic states are listening to music, playing a musical instrument, gazing into the nature, reading, driving on traffic less long straight road, watching television etc. Under hypnotic trance, the subject reaches a relaxed state of mind, a state of daydreaming and loses hold of reality and concentrates intently on a particular subject of interest. Such hypnotic trances result in relief from anxiety, stress leading to relaxation.

Clinical hypnosis on the other hand is an artificially induced state of trance to achieve specific clinical. It is found to be useful in treating phobia, chronic anxiety, overcoming shyness, multiple personality disorders, amnesia, chronic pain and more effectively to help oneself or others to get out of addictions such as smoking, drinking and masturbation etc. It is also believed that hypnosis can be used effectively to treat asthma and breathing disorders.

Contradictory to the many misconceptions that exist, no one can be forced into a hypnotic trance without the subject's knowledge or willingness to be hypnotized. Then how does it really work? To move to the hypnotized state one has to voluntarily shut oneself out of the many bombarding stimuli that keep our conscious mind and brain active. This may be done with the help of a qualified hypnotist through his or her directions or by oneself. the hypnotist may only facilitate the subject to enter the hypnotic state. During this hypnotic trance, the subject is under the most relaxed state of mind that makes them highly receptive to suggestions made during this time.


The level of receptiveness to suggestions made during the hypnotic state is highly helpful to program one's mind to help one get out of weaknesses such as smoking or drinking or any other habitual practice. The individual who lacks the will power to quit such a habit in his or normal state of awareness is tuned to operate to suggestions made during the hypnotic state. These suggestions counter act the impulses generated in normal waking state. Without hypnotic suggestions, the individual is defenseless against these impulses. The suggestions impressed upon your unconscious mind during the hypnotic state strengthen the will. However, one has to personally decide to quit the troubling habit and be convinced that it is not helping them to lead a normal life and that it is injuring them.

Hypnotism also helps in healing painful childhood memories such as sexual abuse, traumatic experiences and handling grief on the loss of a loved one. It helps to heal the memories by gaining access to past troubling memories that have been covered up with various defense mechanisms. Better results are achieved when hypnosis is tied up with counseling.