• The hypnotic state—beyond the myths
• Promising evidence that hypnosis heals

The hypnotic state—beyond the myths

• One of the biggest myths perpetrated about hypnosis is that it is a strange and unnatural state that we are put into by another person to whom we surrender our power.

• The hypnotic state is as natural as breathing. You move in and out of it several times a day—when you lose yourself in a daydream, pass your freeway exit as you drive "on automatic," or don't notice who's around you while you read a book or watch a movie. Every night you transit through light to deep levels of hypnosis as you fall asleep.

• You are always the one in charge when you enter a hypnotic state. No hypnotist, including a stage hypnotist, can make you do something against your will or that violates your values, just as no one can command you to drift into a daydream or dictate what you dream.

• Hypnosis is a dream-like trance state you choose to enter that is marked by an intensifying and narrowing of your focus of awareness. In this state you can more easily tap unconscious and intuitive material and reinforce positive suggestions.

Promising evidence that hypnosis heals

In 2004 an article in the British Journal of Anesthesia reported that in a significant number of controlled studies of women in labor for childbirth, fewer of those using hypnosis, compared to the control groups not using hypnosis, required medication for pain relief. The panel reviewing these clinical trials concluded that, given the encouraging results, more clinical studies should be undertaken.

In his own review of clinical trials on the use of hypnosis in treating various medical conditions, Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, documented a number of small studies that provide evidence for the benefits of hypnotherapy. These include:

• Preparing for surgery: The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery reported on a controlled study in which those taught self-hypnosis before surgery were more relaxed afterwards and required less pain medication.
• Irritable bowel syndrome: In a British study published in The Lancet, hypnosis "strikingly" reduced the symptoms of this condition.
• Pain: A review panel appointed by the National Institutes of Health discovered "strong evidence" that the use of hypnosis can ease pain associated with cancer.

Dr. Weil is a graduate of Harvard Medical School, founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona's Health Sciences Center in Tucson, and author of several best-selling books, including Eight Weeks to Optimum Health.

If you'd like to know more about hypnosis, I can address
your questions in our 20-min. free telephone consultation.
To arrange this, call my 24-hour, toll-free voice mail line: 877-488-0058.

I also encourage you to check the books and audio recordings listed in Other Resources.

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