Hypnosis, that great unknown

The hypnosis. One of those huge chimeras that invades cinemas, shows and television shows. One of those things that still calls into question the concept that a large part of the population has about "rationality."

How is it possible! It is the immediate response of our mind to the phenomenon. Followed, of course, in most cases, by the typical fear response pattern; we drift away, we begin to doubt ourselves, and the thought of "don't come near me" begins to take over our mind.

It is logical. We have been bombarded for so many years with the magical and mysterious phenomenon of hypnosis, that already you almost think you can fly when you are hypnotized, and not figuratively. Well, I'm sorry, but no.

What really is hypnosis?

Let's get serious. Hypnosis is much more than meets the eye. As such, heHypnosis arises as a therapeutic tool in its beginnings. There is evidence that already in prehistoric times, the figure of the shaman, who used suggestive techniques for healing.

Then it was passed to the witches and the

mediums, and the obscurantism was growing. However, the scientific rigor or at least the consideration of hypnosis as something more than witchcraft began in the school of the psychiatric hospital of Nancy-Salpetriere, with the Professor Charcot and the treatment of mass hysteria through hypnosis.

Today, hypnosis could be defined as a method. A procedure composed of various techniques that use the individual's attention or imagination to produce alterations or changes in their emotions, thoughts, behaviors or perceptions.

In other words, it's just uan extremely efficient way of using mental resources of the person to achieve results, with the limitations of the human being (no one will lose their personality, or become a superman thanks to hypnosis).

The trance state

This way of using attention necessarily goes through a state called trance. It is a state very similar to Flow status of the artists. The mind experiences a very high level of abstraction and concentration, devoting generally scattered resources to very few objectives.

For a time it was thought that not all of us were susceptible to experiencing this state, therefore, we were not very "hypnotizable". Today we know that This is not like this. The extent to which a person reaches this state is as much in the will of the hypnotized as in the skill of the hypnotist.

On a subjective level, this state is very personal. The stories of people who have gone through this method are very scattered. The most common they coincide in experiencing a sensation similar to that of a dream; as a state of mindfulness, but absolutely "in another world".

The way: hypnotize with a snap of your fingers?

And here comes the really morbid; the way in which that technique is carried out. Do you just snap your fingers? Do I have to pat your shoulder and then dance “La Macarena”? Actually, the way in which it is carried out is the least interesting in terms of the technique itself, even though it is the most striking. Not to mention the millions that continue to be earned thanks to them.

And the question is obvious; How is it possible that you can put someone to sleep just by snapping your fingers?

I pose another question: Would you be able to fall asleep without anyone snapping their fingers?

It is not a question of cause effect. There is no kind of click that emits any kind of wave that automatically puts us to sleep. There is, however, the conviction that we will fall asleep when we hear a snap of the fingers. Like we will fall asleep when we are tired. Y our body acts in accordance with these beliefs. The mind can be fun, right?

What Really Matters About Hypnosis

Beyond all sensational implications of hypnosis, what ultimately counts is that as a tool, as a method, it is effective for our goal as hypnotists. If our goal is therapeutic, we may opt for methods that give the person more control capacity. If it is the show, we may look for what is striking.

Nevertheless, above that effectiveness is respect. This is an important point; in hypnosis you always work with people, and therefore a strong sense of respect for the individuality and honor of the hypnotized person is necessary. Let us be aware of the role that the hypnotized assumes when he agrees to be. He does not perceive any control, on the contrary in fact; it is perceived as "sold". Let's be respectful to him or her.

Ultimately, what really matters is that, as so many famous people say (among them, let me quote the Uncle ben Spiderman), "with great power comes great responsibility." It is not about power itself, that is, what we can do, but about what to do with the power. How to use it and for what. Above all, if that power is truly within everyone's reach.

Related Posts:

• "Hypnosis: Fact or Fraud?"

• "10 myths about hypnosis, debunked and explained"