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National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH)

What exactly is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness characterized by an increased ability for the subconscious mind to be open to receiving and acting upon suggestions.  It is a completely natural state that all of us experience at least twice a day (upon awakening and just before drifting off to sleep).  In fact, whenever you are daydreaming, find yourself lost in a book you are reading or a movie, you are in a light state of hypnosis! 

That's why you can get emotionally caught up in a good story and completely forget the reality that all you are doing is scanning words on a printed page or watching light projected onto a screen.  And have you ever been driving, and suddenly realized that you couldn't remember anything you passed by along the road for the past half hour, or so? It's called highway hypnosis.  From these examples in your own experience, you can begin to understand just how powerful hypnosis can actually be when it is induced to eliminate bad habits (or start good ones), improve memory recall, etc.

Does a person give up control of their mind to the hypnotist when they are hypnotized?

No.  All hypnosis is, in fact, self hypnosis.  No one can really hypnotize someone else.  When a hypnotist induces the state of hypnosis in another person, all she is really doing is skillfully guiding that person into a self-induced hypnotic state.  That's why you can't be hypnotized against your will -- because you are really the one doing the hypnotizing.   You're doing it to yourself!  If you don't want to be hypnotized, then you won't be hypnotizable.  It's that simple.  Hypnosis isn't about you giving up control to the hypnotist -- it's about you gaining more control over yourself.

Can a person under hypnosis be made to do things against their will?

No.  A person knows what is being said to them when they are under hypnosis, and will not do anything that goes against their own moral code.   

Is there a chance that if I am hypnotized that I won't be able to come out of hypnosis?

This is nothing but Hollywood fiction.  In fact, you can bring yourself out of hypnosis any time you wish to do so!  Remember, you are the one who is really doing the hypnotizing.  Hypnosis is a natural mental state and is completely safe.

Am I unconscious during hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not an unconscious state; it is a hyperconscious state where the hypnotized person is acutely aware during the hypnosis session.

Are there different kinds of hypnosis?

There are two kinds of hypnosis: hetero-hypnosis and autogenic (self-hypnosis).  Hetero-hypnosis is hypnosis induced in someone by a hypnotist.  Autogenic hypnosis is self-induced.  I teach all of my clients how to do self-hypnosis to reinforce the suggestions they receive in their hetero-hypnosis sessions with me.  This helps them achieve permanent results more quickly and effectively.

What happens if I go to sleep during self-induced hypnosis?

You will simply wake up after you have had a good nap!  In fact, self-hypnosis is a great way to make yourself go to sleep.  And it's a healthy natural alternative to taking chemical sleep aids.

How is hypnosis being used today?

Hypnosis is now used every day in the medical and mental health fields, even in law enforcement (it's called forensic hypnosis -- it's used to help victims and witnesses of crimes remember important details that can help the police).  It's also used by certified hypnotists like me to help others achieve their personal goals.