The Great Online Hypnosis Debate

2011, February 15th.

In the late 1700's Franz Mesmer brought the idea of hypnosis to the world. Here we all are, nearly 250 years later still trying to piece together whether or not hypnosis actually works. Why is that?

Why, over 200 years later are people still not sure one way or the other if hypnosis works?

Maybe stage hypnotism has ruined the credibility of hypnosis for medical use in the eyes of the public, perhaps it's the portrayal of hypnosis in the movies that makes it seem beyond belief. I don't know, but what I do know is that there are far too many people willing to comment that have no experience on the subject.

Everybody has an opinion on hypnosis, why? Fine if they have an informed background but why comment on your beliefs unless you can back them up with fact and experience? if you owned a boat and you were out at sea with a small group, some were sailors but the others had big opinions on what you should do, who would you listen to? Would you listen to those who had sailed or those who had an opinion on sailing if you had to captain the ship home?

Belief!

The human mind is a much more powerful tool than most of us give it credit for, there are a million and one books out there that will tell you how to do this, how to do that and how to do this the other. Problem is you need to actually want to do the things in the books or no good will come of you reading these books in the first place! Yes, you will gain a little knowledge but you have to want to use it or the information will sit idle in your brain forever.

Hypnosis is very similar, you see a hypnotherapist to cure something or to change the way you feel about things inside but if your heart isn't in it the treatment will likely not work, you must want the end result.

Thousands of people go through dental procedures without anesthetic every year, how is this possible? With hypnosis or even self hypnosis it is possible and proven, ask your dentist! Or perhaps you think they are part of a pro-hypnosis conspiracy group? If they were they would be doing themselves an injustice, they can't charge for the anesthetic! :-D

For those in doubt I would suggest the books of Milton Erickson, dated works but full of nuggets (a huge understatement!) that will tell you all about various forms of hypnosis and their uses. Those who would really like to educate themselves more I would like to direct to British Hypnosis Research which is run by Stephen Brooks who runs a free hypnosis course.

One rule here, if you want to make a comment, take the course first. Then come back and tell me what you think.

Well... off you go, the course is free!

Still here? Afraid you'll get hypnotized? ;-)