Marisa Peer: Hypnosis is a sleep of the nervous system

Hypnosis is a way of directly accessing the subconscious mind so the clients can understand what is running their unwanted behaviors and then become free of them through a process of suggestion that bypasses the conscious mind and the critical factor, allowing the mind to accept suggestions it would have previously not have accepted.

Historically, hypnosis has sometimes been used for entertainment purposes or as a tool to access the subconscious mind for personal growth and self-improvement.

On the other hand, hypnotherapy involves the deliberate and therapeutic use of hypnosis to address specific psychological or behavioral issues. It is a structured and guided process delivered by a trained hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy is targeted at helping individuals overcome challenges. Professionals are to work with clients on a wide range of issues, such as confidence, self-esteem, fears, phobias, and smoking, in addition to more complex problems, such as eating disorders, addictions, pain management, and trauma-related issues or weight management. Hypnotherapy also integrates various techniques and interventions while the client is in a hypnotic state, facilitating deep exploration, insight, and the potential for positive change. Unlike stage hypnosis, hypnotherapy prioritizes well-being and therapeutic outcomes, making it a valuable tool in the field of psychotherapy.

The fastest way to change a person’s feelings, thoughts, emotions and behaviors is to work directly with their subconscious mind. And that is exactly what you are going to do by accessing what lies beneath.

According to Elman, a person in hypnosis “has greater awareness than the person not in hypnosis.” He stated that you could not get someone to do anything in hypnosis that they would not do ordinarily. The state of hypnosis means that a person is more open to accepting positive suggestions.

As long as you are pretending, your judgment is suspended. This is an example of bypassing the critical faculty. It is not hypnosis; it is the entrance into hypnosis. Hypnosis occurs once selective thinking has been established. Elman says that selective thinking is “…whatever you believe wholeheartedly.” It is when the mind becomes open to believing something without doubt.

Thanks to ongoing research in the field of hypnosis and the establishment of higher standards for training and certification, hypnotherapy is no longer regarded as an alternative treatment. The American Psychological Association (2020) recognizes hypnosis as a valuable therapy for addressing pain, anxiety and mood disorders. Moreover, hypnotherapy is well established as a practical approach for helping individuals overcome negative habits such as nail biting or smoking, for which it has gained significant popularity.