Do You Want to Know What Hypnosis is?
Hypnosis is a very common word today and everybody would say they know what it is. Yet, if you ask anyone to define it in clear terms, very few indeed would be able to do so. So, what is hypnosis? Is it magic? Is it a science? Is it an art? How do you define it?
What is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is a Little of Everything
Generally speaking hypnosis is a process where the consciousness of the mind is altered using only orally relayed suggestions. No drugs, no medication and no external power is applied other than verbal suggestions. Maybe this is why it was initially thought to be more magic than realty. However, the answer to your question on what is hypnosis can never be complete without indicating that it is in part a science as well.
Hypnosis studies the impact of the mind on the healing process of the body similar to exercise and meditation. Hypnosis has done wonders in the field of medicines helping people overcome a number of disorders and dysfunctions. Recent studies show that it would be possible in the near future to use hypnosis to replace anesthesia in patients who cannot benefit from medications because of acute side effects.
You could at the same time say that hypnosis is also an art because learning it requires certain skills rather than medical study - though there is a branch of medicine pertaining to hypnosis. Anyone can learn to hypnotize and they would not necessarily be doctors of medicine. This skill can be easily compared to learning to drive or using a digital camera, i.e. a skill that can be learned with practice and example.
Some people answer to the question of what is hypnosis with a list of what it can do. Hypnosis is today used to counter chemotherapy side effects, control blood pressure, fight dysfunctional habits such as smoking, kleptomania, drug addiction, etc, eliminate phobias, motivate to achieve more, feel better, think clearer, and so on. This is not an all-inclusive list; there is much more that hypnotism can achieve and the best part is that you can do it to yourself if you would want to.
Hypnosis uses the power of mind to solve problems at different levels. Initially, it was thought that this can influence only mental conditions; however, more and more studies show that hypnotism is a great weapon against many physical afflictions as well.
In the end, when you go through all that hypnosis can do you would definitely understand it better. Yet, it would still be difficult for you to answer to the question - what is hypnosis - in clear terms - or would it?
