What happens in the trance state

Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration that allows a person to become less aware of his or her surroundings.

It is not a state of mind control or brainwashing, but instead a way for a person to help solve problems he or she has difficulty solving in a non-hypnotic state. One can never be hypnotized unwillingly; participation is required for hypnosis to occur.

But how does it work? During the trance state, meaning when a person is under hypnosis, he or she may be more willing to accept suggestions to change a negative behavior, such as smoking.

Using hypnosis as a tool in quitting smoking has been studied with relative success over the past few years. In 2008, for example, a trial at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center yielded some positive results for using hypnosis as a tool to quit smoking. One group of subjects used nicotine patches and counseling, while another used nicotine patches and hypnosis. Twenty-six percent of participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent from smoking at six months, compared to 18 percent of participants in the non-hypnosis group. Hypnosis was found to be significantly more helpful for participants with a history of depression, too.

In addition to smoking, hypnosis has also been used to help with addictions to drugs, alcohol and food.

The treatment method has also been used as a means of pain management, especially chronic pain. Some providers use hypnosis as a form of pain management for pain caused by cancer and paralysis. However, a 2015 study in Germany found while cognitive behavioral therapies played a key role in helping patients suffering from fibromyalgia, the role of psychotherapeutic procedures, such as hypnosis, was insufficient.

Hypnosis has also been used as a means of treating anxiety and depression, as the relaxed state can help calm a participant. A 2015 case report in the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia found that hypnosis was a successful way to manage posttraumatic stress disorder in two patients.

Since the study was a case report, it did not examine a large population, like a clinical trial.

There are relatively few risks in participating in hypnosis, but you need to make sure you’re dealing with a professional.

The United States does not offer licensing in hypnotherapy, so it is best to seek hypnosis services from someone in a position that requires some form of certification. Many psychologists, counselors and doctors are experienced in hypnotherapy.

If you are not receiving hypnosis from your primary care provider, make sure he or she knows you are using an alternative therapy.

The most important thing to remember about hypnosis is that it is not a cure, but a tool that can be with a combination of different health tactics to limit symptoms of an existing health condition.

Hypnosis is not for everyone, but can be a successful means of alleviating symptoms for some.

Try The Alternative:

Meditation or yoga could be good alternatives, as they also strive for participants to reach a relaxed, though not trance-like, state.