When I hear the word hypnosis, I think of a swirling spiral and a loss conscious control — like in the cartoons.
Of course, it's also easy to be hypnotized by a beautiful vision of melting chocolate or the beautiful eyes of your fur baby.
Hypnosis also has a place in live entertainment. If you've ever seen a show, you'll remember how hilarious it is to watch grown men pretend to give birth or see someone act like a chicken on stage. In fact, a friend of mine even discovered her unknown ability to rap and dance under the influence of hypnosis, but it's not all fun and games.
In a clinical sense, hypnosis is capable of a much bigger impact and even has some serious therapeutic uses.
As it turns out, being hypnotized is used to treat all kinds of conditions, and it can improve your health in a number of different ways.
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What Is Hypnosis?
We've all seen (and probably been scared by the idea of) hypnosis in the movies.
However, the North Carolina Society Of Clinical Hypnosis assures us that it's not like that in real life.
They note:
Hypnosis is a natural state of selective, focused attention, and, even though it is 100% natural and normal, it remains one of the most fascinating phenomena of the human mind. Our ability to enter this unique state of consciousness opens the door to countless possibilities for healing, self-exploration and change.
Hypnosis Benefit #1: Kicking Bad Habits
Since being hypnotized allows you to be more suggestible than usual, there is evidence that it can help you quit bad habits like smoking or drinking.
WebMD explains that a session will usually involve a hypnotherapist creating a negative connotations with the experience of smoking, like having an extremely dry mouth afterwards, that will deter the smoker next time.
So if you have a vice you just can't kick, hypnosis might be the ticket.
Hypnosis Benefit #2: Relieve Hot Flashes
If you've suffered from hot flashes or know someone who has, you know that it's worth going to any length to control them.
According to one study, women who were treated with hypnotherapy for hot flashes reported better sleep quality and fewer hot flashes.
Hypnosis Benefit #3: Lose Weight And Keep It Off
Since hypnosis helps adjust someone's frame of mind or attitude, it would make sense that it might be used for weight loss.
Shape Magazine explains that hypnosis isn't a replacement for a diet but rather a method for overcoming mental barriers preventing weight loss, like binge eating or fear of exercising.
Hypnosis Benefit #4: Reduce Stress
Stress is never fun to deal with, which is why The Wellness Institute cites hypnotherapy as an alternative treatment for stress and anxiety.
It's a good option to explore for someone who isn't interested in taking medicine, but still wants to rewire bad mental habits, like cyclical thinking or obsessing.
Hypnosis can adjust your thought process and help you cultivate a more relaxed attitude.
Hypnosis Benefit #5: Treat Chronic Pain
Any pain is unwelcome, let alone chronic pain.
People with chronic pain will take drastic measures to treat it, but it might not have to be so drastic at all.
According to WebMD, research shows that hypnotherapy can help treat and curb chronic pain.
Since most pain is actually generated by your brain, it makes sense that a mental therapy like hypnosis could help with pain management.
Hypnosis Benefit #6: Promote Healthy Sleep
When you undergo hypnosis, you enter a sleep-like state, but remain awake.
Given how close hypnotherapy is to sleep, it's easy to understand how it might help you with insomnia, and promote healthy sleep.
Hypnotic suggestion can be used to train your brain to develop more restful nighttime patterns, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Hypnosis Benefit #7: Treat Depression
Hypnosis can help adjust your thought processes, which includes those associated with depression or anxiety.
People suffering from depression or anxiety have reported positive results from being treated with hypnotherapy as a medication alternative.
Hypnosis Benefit #8: Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is extremely uncomfortable, and can even be debilitating under certain circumstances.
Luckily, hypnotherapy has been proven to help patients who suffer from IBS, according to About IBS.
Interestingly, it can help relieve primary and secondary symptoms like nausea and backache, and might also help to tackle the anxiety symptoms that often appear alongside the gastrointestinal symptoms.
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