Unlocking the Secretes of Hypnosis in 
Basic Terms 

The word, "Hypnosis" for most is the unknown. If anything, it conjures up images of Svengali controlling one with a pendant or the movie--the Manchurian Candidate. Or perhaps they saw a stage where subjects on stage quacked like ducks and didn't remember anything after opening their eyes. Generally, all are images that leave one leery of hypnosis!

Even though the word, "hypnosis," was not used at the time, Anton Mesmer in the 1700's is credited with being the first person to use hypnosis. Most of Mesmer's patients at that time in history suffered from "Hysteria." His patients were often guests at his home for months on end during which time he'd hold sessions and have them stand in a tub of water with metal rods. As they held onto the rods, he'd wave his wand resulting in the patients experiencing a cathartic reaction during which their "hysteria" was cured.

Even though, his technique revolves around the use of the wand and the theory of "animal magnetism," it was actually the few choice verbal suggestions along with and air of expectancy and mystique that contributed to his results.

His enemies had his techniques questioned by a panel of experts. Ben Franklin was one of those on the panel. The panel judged him to be a quack which shortly thereafter ruined his career. Over the years, his disciples and other physicians such as James Braid used various forms of suggestion further refining--defining the art of hypnosis. Freud for a while experimented with it and then abandoned it. 

Even though those who practiced various forms of hypnosis attempted to explain the techniques and verify the results, an air of mystique has always surrounded hypnosis. For nearly two centuries we have professionals using various forms of hypnosis for a plethora of human ailments and unhealthy habits. And we still have a few people such as The Amazing Randi--the magician--doing everything he can to prove that it doesn't exist.

Why aren't tubs and iron rods used today?? Remember many of Mesmer's patients suffered from hysteria. It just so happens that today the frequency of hysteria occurring in the general population is nil. 

What is hysteria? Hysteria is a rather simple stress reaction. It's a reaction to a particular type of stressor--shock. For instance, the sufferer sees something traumatic and develops blindness. Or he/she hears something traumatic and becomes deaf. Or in response to the shock they become mute, or lose motor control of certain muscle groups and become catatonic. Except for post Vietnam War years when many Vietnamese developed hysteria reactions in response to the atrocities they witnessed in the war, hysteria is rarely encountered.

Today, humans are generally more sophisticated and develop means of reacting to stress such as eating disorders, smoking, drinking, drugs or gambling, or physical reactions such as headaches, hypertension, ulcerative colitis..., Some develop mental abreactions such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia... But even so, today more effective means of delivering suggestion for dealing with hysteria are known which are far superior to the use of tubs and iron rods. In general, as the human race becomes more sophisticated in their thinking, their stress reactions become more sophisticated.

Simply put, hypnosis is really the "art of suggestion." For instance, the TV world has produced many shows featuring educators who have motivated ghetto students to achieve. This educator is a master at motivational suggestions. That is hypnosis.

Advertising and marketing geniuses develop suggestions and images that motivate the viewer or listener to purchase a particular brand over other brands. That is hypnosis!

The salesman presents his product in such as way with verbal and visual suggestions--even body language--that makes the sale. That is hypnosis!

Professional hypnosis is the "art of suggestion." For specific problems, specific suggestions have been devised to aid the individual in overcoming the problem. How suggestions are phrased makes a big difference.

Of course, charisma and believability also counts. The same suggestion delivered two different ways (one with confidence and trust (rapport) and one without confidence) will have different outcomes--guaranteed!

There are two necessary ingredients for hypnosis to work:

1. The suggestion must make sense.

3. The hypnotist delivering the suggestions must have rapport (trust) with the subject.

Thus a suggestion could be as basic as every time you say the phrase, "blue skies," you will forget about food and lose weight." On the surface that suggestion doesn't seem to make sense, yet through the use of auxiliary suggestion--call it "laying the foundation" of suggestion, it's explained that "blue skies" is symbolic for being free of impediments in reaching one's goal. 

Or it could be that the hypnotist explains that "blue skies" means being free of using food as a means of dealing with stress.

Thus hypnosis is the "art of suggestion," which requires the hypnotist having rapport and the suggestion making sense.

--end of article--

Richard Kuhns B.S.Ch.E., NGH certified, a prominent figure in the personal development field. Instrumentally behind the creation of 50 top selling self help stress management hypnosis cds at  http://www.DStressDoc.com and www.PanicBusters.com for a revolutionary new technique to overcome anxiety panic attack.