Hypnosis is a Greek word which means "sleep". This is also referred to as hypnotherapy. With the help of a hypnotherapist, you reach a trancelike state of restful awareness. When you are under hypnosis you are actually not sleeping, though it may seem like you are. You tend to be more focused and more responsive to suggestions. The main purpose of this is to help you gain self control over your emotions and behavior.

How does it work?

Though it is not very clear how it works, it tends to synchronize the body and the brain through nerve impulses, body chemicals, and hormones. It is said that the mind has two parts; the subconscious mind and the conscious mind. When you are hypnotized, you are said to be in your subconscious mind. It helps you relax and quieten your mind. We tend to go into the hypnotic state in our day to day life also. Many a time we lose track of the time and get engrossed in our work, or while reading a good book or listening to good music, this is similar to the hypnotic process.

Stages:

When you are under hypnosis, you tend to concentrate intensely without any distractions. As you become more open to suggestions, you tend to listen to what you are being told, which could help you give up your bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol, improving your health and well being.

You are said to go through three stages in Hypnotherapy; the first being the superficial trance, where your eyes may be closed, but you still exist in the present stage and you are aware of your surroundings. During this stage you are more open to suggestions, but since the trance is very light, there is a possibility that you may not accept it. The second stage is the alpha stage, which is deeper than the first one. Here the person accepts what he is being told. The therapist can actually control your response to any physical pain or allergies and control your immune system. Your blood pressure and your heart rate can also be controlled. The third stage is called age regression, which is even deeper than the alpha stage. In this stage the person can be sent back in time to remember events which had occurred years back. This technique is helpful to make the person come out of any physical, mental, or emotional problems, which could be related to his past. Cases like sexual abuse during childhood can really disturb the mind, causing physical and mental torture.

Benefits:

Deep hypnosis can also relieve pain from your body and control allergies. Chronic pain such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and back pain are said to be improved with hypnotherapy. Practising this can relieve symptoms up to 70 percent. Even sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring can be improved. This technique is even used in the emergency rooms in hospitals to help relax a severely injured victim, and even in the ICU to control the heart rate and respiration. Dentists also use this technique to decrease pain, calm the patients, and to reduce bleeding. Even during childbirth it is used to relieve pain.

Hypnosis can work only when you fulfill three conditions - A peaceful environment without any disturbance, good understanding between the therapist and you, and your cooperation and willingness to be a part of the therapy.

Hypnosis performed by a certified hypnotherapist is said to bring good changes in your health. It helps you give up unwanted habits like smoking, overeating, give up alcohol, and overcoming stress. It can also help control phobias, and this therapy has shown positive results in controlling asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and high blood pressure.

Remember to go only to a certified and recognized practitioner, as the success of the therapy will depend on the competence of the therapist. It is best to take opinions from friends and those around you.