Hypnosis, that great unknown

Do you really think you know what hypnosis consists of?

The hypnosis. One of those huge chimeras that invades cinemas, shows and television programs. 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! This is our mind's immediate response to the phenomenon. Followed, of course, in most cases, by the typical fear response pattern; we turn away, we start to doubt ourselves, and the thought: "don't come near me" starts to take over our mind.

It's logical. We have been bombarded for so many years with the magical and mysterious phenomenon of hypnosis, that we almost think that we can fly when we are in hypnosis. you almost think you can fly when you are hypnotized, and not in a figurative way.. Well, I am sorry, but no.

What really is hypnosis?

Let's get serious. There is much more to hypnosis than meets the eye. As such, hHypnosis emerged as a therapeutic tool in its beginnings.. There is evidence that already in prehistoric times, the figure of the shaman existed. shamanwho used suggestive techniques for healing.

Afterwards, the witchdoctors and the mediumsand obscurantism grew. 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 by hypnosis.

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

In other words, it is nothing more than aan extremely efficient way of employing mental resources. The trance state is a state of trance in which the person is able to achieve results, with the limitations inherent to the human being (no one is going to lose his personality, nor become a superman thanks to hypnosis).

The trance state

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

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

On a subjective level, this state is very personal. The accounts of people who have gone through this method are very scattered. The most common ones agree in experiencing a sensation similar to that of a dream; like a state of full consciousness, but absolutely "in another world".but absolutely "in another world".

The form: hypnotizing with a snap of the fingers?

And here comes the really morbid part; the way in which this technique is carried out. Do you just snap your fingers? Do I have to tap your shoulder and then dance "La Macarena"? Actually, the way it is performed is the least interesting thing about 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 to put someone to sleep just by snapping one's fingers?

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

It is not a question of cause-effect. There is no kind of snapping 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. Just as we will fall asleep when we are tired. Y our body acts in accordance with these beliefs.. The mind can be funny, can't it?

What really matters about hypnosis

Beyond all the sensationalist sensationalist implications of hypnosis, what ultimately matters is that as a tool, as a method, it is effective for our purpose as hypnotists. If our objective is therapeutic, perhaps we opt for methods that give more capacity of control to the person. If it is the spectacle, possibly we look for that which is showy.

However, above that efficacy is the respect. This is an important point; in hypnosis we 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 person assumes when he accepts to be hypnotized. He/she does not perceive any control, on the contrary in fact; he/she perceives him/herself as "sold". Let us be respectful of him or her.

In the end, what really matters is that, as so many famous people say (among them, I would like to quote Uncle Ben from Spiderman), "with great power comes great responsibility". It is not about the power itself, i.e., what we can do, but rather about what to do with the power. How to use it and for what purpose. Above all, whether that power really is within everyone's reach.

Related articles:

• "Hypnosis: Reality or fraud?"

• "10 myths about hypnosis, debunked and explained"