Let’s Get Hypnotic
The hot take on hypnosis: can you really get in touch with your inner intentions?
Written by Maddy Scharrer, Lifestyle Staff Writer
Photographed by Sophia Krupka, Contributing Photographer
Modeled by Charlotte Neumann, Jonathan Koch and Ace Filter
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word hypnotism, I instantly think of spinning illusions and DIY YouTube videos. We’ve all seen movies about the horrific side of hypnosis, from creepy doctors controlling their patients to memories being contorted. In real life, it often takes the form of a magic trick, in which someone uses hypnotism to induce uncontrolled actions from participants. Has Hollywood’s portrayal and magician’s schemes surrounding hypnosis done the actual practice of justice? Can we really subject our minds to such a lucid, relaxed state with the snap of a thumb or a clock dangling between our eyes?
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is considered a trance-like state that creates an opening to the subconscious mind through concentration (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020). Within the medical field, hypnosis is induced through the practice of hypnotherapy. In hypnotherapy, a psychiatrist or certified medical practitioner uses hypnosis as a tool for therapy (Legg, 2018). Unlike gimmicks or big screen interpretations, hypnosis does not actually give mind-controlling power to the practitioner. A common misconception is that patients are asleep during hypnosis, but this is not the case. In reality, the patient is guided into a relaxed state and becomes more open to suggestions (Legg, 2018). This lucid state does not take away from the awareness of the patient, but rather opens up a part of the mind that allows the patient to gain control of their unconscious intentions (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020).
Placebo or Place-no?
Many debate the validity of hypnosis because, from a medical perspective, the results reflect a placebo effect. Skepticism surrounding hypnosis stems from the little research that has been done on the treatment. Currently, many medical professionals and organizations feel that more studies need to be conducted to understand hypnosis and prove it is an effective form of treatment (Hypnosis: What It Is, 2022). Scientists also question the sufficiency of the practice because of the lack of data. A lot of scientific evidence circulating around hypnosis ends in speculation, concluding that the practice is promising (Hypnosis: What It Is, 2022). For many in the medical field, “promising” isn’t solid enough evidence to conclude that hypnosis is a genuine practice that can produce effective results. However, as research continues, the uncertainty around hypnotism could vanish.
Despite apprehension around the current amount of research, it’s likely that hypnosis will lose its pseudoscientific aura as more data is collected (Hypnosis: What It Is, 2022). While hypnosis may not be a foolproof method in some medical professionals’ eyes, that does not disprove some of the incredible benefits shown in recent studies. One of the rising uses of hypnosis has been in the field of mental health. Specifically, research has detailed the benefits of hypnotherapy in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. A group of studies found hypnotherapy’s effectiveness was similar to two extremely useful practices: cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Alongside these treatments, or even alone, hypnotherapy successfully relaxed PTSD symptoms for up to two years after treatment (Tull, 2020). As studies like these continue to produce conclusive results, it is likely that more medical and scientific professionals will feel there is a sufficient amount of data backing the practice.
Research specific to hypnosis and its use in hypnotherapy continues to rise. The American Association for Professional Hypnotherapists (AAPH) was founded in 1980 with the mission to create collective success in the field of hypnotherapy (American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists, n.d.). Currently, researchers have a lot of ideas about what hypnosis can help with, specifically how it can affect different areas of the brain. Harvard researchers found that hypnosis taps into the parts of the brain that affect processing and controlling bodily processes, pointing to some validity behind hypnosis (Legg, 2018). Once more data is collected, hypnosis might gain a higher level of legitimacy.
Unresolved Validity
Overall, the exaggeration of hypnosis has turned the practice into a circus act rather than a useful medical tool in the eyes of the public. The perception of hypnosis as mind control or total manipulation has, in a sense, undermined the practice and has led to skepticism. However, studies do point to the effectiveness of hypnosis as a treatment. As research continues to accumulate and more questions about the practice are answered, it is possible that it will lose its current reputation and be fully accepted by the medical community.
For now, the best way to describe hypnosis is as a trial run. Like anything with the mind, results may vary from person to person, especially while the validity of the practice is up in the air (Legg, 2018). It’s possible that with such an interactive practice, the effectiveness of hypnosis will always be up to the individual’s discretion. While some rave about their experiences after hypnosis, others stay convinced it’s a pseudoscience. Only time will tell if hypnosis will dig its way out of its bad reputation. So, is hypnosis a big scheme, or can we really be medically treated by tapping into our unconscious thoughts?
Sources:
Hypnosis in the News. American. (n.d.) Association of Professional Hypnotherapists.
Hypnosis: What It Is, Why It's Done, Benefits & Risks. (2022, April 1). Cleveland Clinic.
Legg, T. J. (2018, May 17). Is Hypnosis Real? How It Works and What the Science Says. Healthline.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, November 14). Hypnosis. Mayo Clinic.
Tull, M. (2020, June 25). Using Hypnosis to Treat PTSD. Verywell Mind.