Hypnosis

For this topic is taken as reference an article about hypnosis: “El Trance Hipnótico”, by Alfredo López, published on December 19, 2008. Hypnosis describes the procedure and techniques taught by a hypnotist based on suggestion (and using an own imagination) to produce changes in the hypnotized such as alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior. This article discusses what is and what is not hypnosis on cognitive processes such as memory and perception of pain, researchers and fundamental principles of hypnosis, behavior of the subjects to be hypnotized, brain activity, identifying a subject to be hypnotized (if pretends to be) on experiments, studies, meta-analyzes that have been conducted and finally how hypnosis work.

The process of hypnosis begins with the suggestion phase, where the specific goals or impressions are presented, it is also the most famous stage where you ask questions to the subject, and explore their memories. Then you move to post-suggestion phase that occurs after the subject returns to its normal state of consciousness, in this state the subject may experience different behaviors due to hypnotic suggestion. All this in order to achieve an altered state of consciousness in which the mind is relaxed in order to have greater access to the unconscious mind and thus this subject more susceptible to suggestion for better result or benefit. An interesting point in the article is the observation by Hilgard and Eva I. Banyai, which concluded that they are no difference in where and how to do hypnosis because it will have the same result. For example, observing a subject on a stationary bike responded to hypnotic suggestions exactly like the one being hypnotized in a comfortable seat. Hypnosis has many benefits but one of the most important is that relieves or reduce pain and this makes it a more effective practice, since it is more effective than many prescription drugs, have no side effects, helps relieve symptoms and reduce the effects disorders: chronic, anxiety, psychosomatic and addiction.

Hypnosis is an extremely important component not only in psychology but also in medicine. The article mentioned previously served as a great benefit to understand the concept of hypnosis, because people often tend to misinterpret this therapy. Taking for example; people who are hypnotized do not lose control, they are aware of who they are and were they at, and they usually remember what happened during hypnosis and this do not force anyone to experience the suggestions but to facilitated. This therapy can be useful to achieve control of certain behaviors or emotions as well if you need relief from any pain. I remember previously seen a section of hypnosis in a movie called "The Forth Kind" and made me wonder about this practice, and how this helps not only to remember past events delving into the memory but also is very broad and complex in the world of psychology.