1. INTRODUCTION TO HYPNOSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY

Introduction to Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Module 1 Page 1

1. INTRODUCTION TO HYPNOSIS AND

HYPNOTHERAPY

“The mind is powerful, and you have more control than you think.” – Scott D.

Lewis

OVERVIEW

In this module, we will cover the following topics:

History of hypnosis and hypnotherapy

The human mind, how it works and the mind-body connection

Subconscious mind’s re-programming

Fight or flight responses


HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY

Throughout recorded history, from ancient times, there has been

accounts of men from various professions practicing hypnosis in

various forms, including medicine men, witch doctors, and religious

healers. However, it was only in the 18th

century that scientists and

researchers started to conduct empirical studies of the practice and its

validity.

In the earlier days, primitive societies used tribal dances, rituals, and

drama, often with inhaling or consuming hallucinogenic substances to

induce a trance-like state. The spiritual leader, or shaman, is

connected to the spiritual world, from where he receives guidance and

messages. By producing a trance among followers, practitioners

believed that they too could commune with the spirit world through

the experience of a different reality. As such, the shaman acted as a

facilitator to guide tribe members to a trance state, much like today’s

hypnotists.

Throughout many cultures across the world from the earliest days of

history to the Middle Ages accounts were noted of spiritual healing,

which, with today’s knowledge, can be understood to utilize the

strength of suggestibility and the mind-body connection. The age of

enlightenment and reason between 1685 and 1815 ushered in the use

of hypnosis at a more popular and formal levels. Austrian physician

Franz Mesmer probably remains the most popular hypnotist of all

times as he demonstrated healing using magnets to influence a sick

person’s magnetic field, thereby balancing the four types of fluid to

restore good health—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.

Mesmer moved to Paris in 1778 where he held large-scale events to

cure many people. His popularity grew and scientists were sent from

around the world to study his methods.

The scientists concluded that, rather through magnetism, Mesmer’s

patients were healing themselves by their own beliefs and mind

powers, which was stimulated by Mesmer’s approach. Eventually, in

1784, the French government declared him a fraud and he died in

1815 at the age of 83. However, what Mesmer’s work shows us is that

a large percentage of ailments can be influenced by our attitude and

approach to them, strengthened by the guidance of an experienced

facilitator.

One of Mesmer’s students, the Marquis de Puysegir, discovered how

to lead clients into a deep relaxing trance state that is now known as


somnambulism. In this state the subject appears to be sound asleep,

yet can hear and respond to questions and suggestions. With his

techniques, the Marquis demonstrated three features of

somnambulism, namely (1) the power of the concentration of the

senses by the operator, (2) acceptance of a suggestion made be the

facilitator, and (3) amnesia for events that happened while in a trance.

Over two centuries later, these principles still apply.

Early 19th

-century Scottish physician and surgeon James Braid was

another influential pioneer of hypnotism and hypnotherapy. He

suggested that hypnosis is a powerful tool that should only be used

with experience in medical professions. He further maintained that

hypnosis could affect a cure, but is not perfect and best applied in

conjunction with drug and psychological treatment to ensure the best

and most responsible results. He believed that hypnosis does not

present any danger when in skilled hands. Braid is attributed with the

phrase “hypnotherapy,” which remains in use today.

A leading French neurologist, Jean Charcot, convinced the French

Academy of Sciences of the validity of hypnotism as a neurological

event, which helped make hypnotism a respected field of study and

practice. His findings inspired many later influencers such as Sigmund

Freud, Pierre Janet, Hippolyte Bernheim, and A. A. Liebeault to

advance hypnotism as a “suggestive” therapy.

Other prominent scientists who influenced the development of modern

hypnosis and hypnotherapy methods and techniques in the 19th

and

20th

centuries include Esdaile and Freud. UK physician James Esdaile

was known for deep mesmerism referred to as the Esdaile state used

as an alternative to anesthetics. Austrian neurologist and father of

psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud routinely used hypnosis before

abandoning it to focus on developing psychoanalysis.

DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN HYPNOSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY

During the 1880s, two leading schools of thought on hypnosis

developed. According to the Bernheim/Liebeault theory, hypnosis is a

psychological state brought about by suggestion and requires no

specific personality type. In contrast, Charcot’s theory held that

hypnosis is a medical condition connected to hysteria, and, therefore,

requires a neurotic personality to be effective.

Their disagreement on the main underlying principles of hypnosis

sparked a heated controversy that ultimately led to further scientific


investigation and greater clarity in the field. The impetus for rapid

advances in the use of hypnosis came from the many World War II

veterans that required treatment for war-related psychological

problems. In 1949, the Society for Clinical and Experimental

Hypnosis was established in the United States to ensure that high

ethical and training standards are put in place and maintained in the

field. In the 1950s, the British Medical Association and American

Medical Association admitted that hypnosis has valid, valuable

medical benefits such as the potential to relieve pain. Hypnosis was

also later approved for the treatment of some psychological disorders

and as an alternative form of pain management during childbirth and

surgery.

The International Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

(ISC EH) was organized in 1958 with national division organizations

in 24 different countries. Its aim was to ensure consistently high

standards of training, research, and practice in hypnosis worldwide

while also facilitating information exchange. The American Board of

Examiners in Psychological Hypnosis was officially recognized by the

American Psychological Association shortly after that, in 1960, which

meant that psychologists could be accredited in hypnosis and the uses

and techniques of effective experimental and clinical hypnosis further

advanced.

The modern hypnotherapist who are probably the most widely

regarded for his achievement in progressing the science of

hypnotherapy is American psychiatrist Milton Erickson. He played an

important role in shaping hypnotherapy into what it is today,

especially by emphasizing the importance of observing clients and

rapidly building a rapport with them. He included metaphors,

confusing statements, surprise, imagery, and humor as part of his

therapeutic toolkit. Together with his predecessors and successors in

the specialist field of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, he laid the

foundation for the successful modern day application of hypnosis to

solve a vast number of medical and psychological problems, which

includes, among others:

Stopping Smoking

Weight loss

Improving self-esteem and motivation

Enhanced learning and memory performance


Dealing with anxiety and panic

Increasing athletic performance

Curing procrastination (especially out of habitual laziness)

Curing phobias, e.g. of spiders, snakes, and other animals,

Curing fears, e.g. of flying, thunder, heights, water, public

speaking, and enclosed spaces.

These examples are just a few of an endless list, but gives and idea of

the vast possibilities that hypnosis and hypnotherapy hold to improve

the everyday lives of people.

THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Experts in many disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry,

medicine, and philosophy, have pondered the intricate connection that

there seems to be between aspects of the mind (e.g. feelings,

emotions, thoughts, and beliefs) and the body (e.g. health, pain, and

illness). Although many conditions have a biological or organic basis,

a complex interplay between emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and

behavioral factors can exacerbate or relieve most issues. For example,

stress is proven to have a profound and compounding effect on

physical health, especially when we grow older.

The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. Not only does it

have the ability to rearrange and restructure neural networks to

compensate for any impairments and develop new functionality, but it

is in constant interaction with the body and environment. Behavior is

the outward expression of the mind. In the form of thoughts, feelings,

and emotions, the human mind creates the motivation or impetus, for

action. In turn, our behavior, including the life choices that we make,

interacts with and influences our surroundings, which includes our

relationships and habits. These again can have a profound effect on

our brain and biological functions, such as the endocrine system that

produces hormones, and the limbic system that controls basic

emotions and drives.

Such processes determine the presence of stress and anxiety,

aggression, urges and compulsions, and mood inclinations, which,

over time, imprints on our personality. Then again, our personality is

made up of themes and patterns of thoughts and beliefs that govern

our views of and reactions to ourselves, others, and the world in

general. It guides our thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and influences


the feedback we receive from our environment, which the brain

processes to reinforce or adjust existing systems.

Colloquially this encompasses the mind-body connection, which is an

age-old controversy among philosophers and scientists. The question

“How can something immaterial like a thought, affect the physical

body, and vice versa?” continues to challenge psychologists and

neuroscientists. It has important ramifications on how we engage our

mind and body to connect with our environment.

To develop a comprehensive understanding of the world and our

interaction with it, we need to define the effect of mental states and

events on the physical operation of any organism. At present, we do

not have an adequately detailed picture of the human brain to bring

mental phenomena into a unified conception of objective reality.

The problem was addressed from the 17th century when Descartes

introduced the concept of dualism or a rigid difference between mind

and matter. The opposite view, monism, maintains that there is only

one unifying reality, substance, or essence that can explain everything.

Several perspectives, such as Karl Marx’s materialism, have rejected

the mind-body dichotomy completely, believing that consciousness is

caused by the material contingencies of one’s environment and

physical structure. The fact that no definitive meeting point between

the non-physical mind and the physical brain and body can be

established remains problematic to dualism and those who maintain

that the mind exists and functions separately from the body.

An increased study of the issue from multi-disciplinary fields has

brought new information and generated a fresh perspective that the

mind and body function closely together, thereby removing the debate

from dualism versus monism. For example, studies in cognitive theory

indicated that merely changing the content of a person’s thinking

could indeed generate significant effects on the body and behavior

(Langer, 2014). Although it is now widely accepted that the mind

affects the body, and vice versa, the pathways remain unknown.

Developed based on these ideas and principles, mind-body therapies

use various approaches, including relaxation techniques, meditation,

guided imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis to induce a relaxed and

positive state. A relaxed person is less inclined to have stress, anxiety,

negative moods, urges, and compulsions and a better ability to adjust

to adverse conditions and manage negativity.


Now watch this video

What is Hypnosis and How Does it Work? [32:24]

Ontario Hypnosis Center

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgwf03144E

MIND REPROGRAMMING AND STRESS RESPONSES

Stress processes, commonly known as the fight-or-flight response,

wreak havoc on the functioning of the body and mind and can easily

reinforce negative attitudes and beliefs, especially under repeated

conditions. These prompt a person to constantly engage in the same

negative decisions and behavior. The subconscious mind can be

reprogrammed to adapt these networks to a more positive framework

aligned with desired outcomes.

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND’S REPROGRAMMING

Many people follow the same pattern of life or make the same

mistakes as they go through lives without being aware of it or

understanding the underlying reasons. As a result, they are unable to

improve their situations, whether the basis is cognitive (i.e. thoughts,

feelings, beliefs, and emotions) or contextual (i.e. environment,


behavior, and relationships). They always seem to be drawn to the

same patterns of behavior.

The subconscious mind has a lot of power in initiating and sustaining

these repetitive patterns. Like an enormous filing cabinet, it stores all

experiences through life—pleasant, unpleasant, and indifferent—in

the form of memories, visual images, and sensations. While only a

small portion of these data segments is available to our conscious

mind, the majority is not. Together with hard-coded features such as

our habits, personality traits, learned behaviors and beliefs that have

developed through life-long repetition and practice, some experiences

are buried deep in the subconscious mind. For example, a traumatic

childhood experience may be hidden there, inaccessible to the

conscious mind, to protect a person from its destructive power. Where

the conscious mind helps us to generate thoughts and make decisions,

the subconscious mind imprints itself more directly onto the body,

without the rational reasoning of the conscious mind.

However, the conscious mind is also able to communicate with the

subconscious mind to input and reinforce new positive thoughts,

ideas, and actions. The technique used to achieve this result is

commonly referred to as subconscious mind reprogramming. Life

coach Genevieve Flight (2014) describes seven steps that can be taken

to achieve or support subconscious reprogramming, of which hypnosis

is one.

1. Positive Affirmations: Repeated personal, positive, present

tense statements are used to replace negative beliefs and

thoughts. The repetition of these mantras develops a new

attitude by creating new pathways in the subconscious mind.

By avoiding the use of negative words, and reminding oneself

of something like “I choose happiness at all times,” negative

mindsets of anger, sadness, or worry can be replaced.

2. Visualization: Detailed mental pictures of the desired outcome

can have a calming and uplifting effect while stimulating the

subconscious mind to accept it as the new reality, which drives

behavior toward this goal.

3. Hypnosis: By inducing extreme relaxation through hypnosis,

the conscious mind releases its grip, making it easier to access

the subconscious mind, prompting it to accept new thoughts as

reality.


4. Subliminal Audios/Videos: While the conscious mind is alert

to the overt messages in music or video material, the

subconscious mind absorbs hidden information beneath the

sounds and images, especially while asleep.

5. Meditation: In meditation a person focuses on positive aspects

and let go of negative thoughts and ideas, which, with practice

and repetition, reprograms the subconscious mind to free itself

from the negative while embracing true reality.

6. Will and Habit: Our will is that part of us that moves us to

respond passively or actively to a given situation, and each

time the decision is enacted reinforces it as a habit in the future.

By redirecting our will, we can change our behavior and habits,

thereby reprogramming our subconscious mind where many

habits are rooted.

7. Self-Suggestion: While refraining from any objective

judgment and regularly repeating a particular expression or

idea, a person can induce relaxation and a positive attitude,

which is absorbed by the subconscious mind and ultimately

reinforced as a new habit.

These techniques to reprogram the subconscious mind are useful to

induce a state of relaxation, which makes it easier absorb positive new

ideas and information into the deep recesses of the mind. These

become part of new neural networks as the personality beliefs and

stored experiences are rearranged into a positive framework.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE

The ability to react instinctively and expediently to threatening

situations is thought to be linked to the evolutionary development of

humans, not only by triggering reactions in the sympathetic nervous

system but our cognitive processes as well, to activate appropriate

behavior. In the process muscles are primed, attention focused, nerves

are stimulated, and thoughts and feelings generated to motivate action.

The stress process is very important in a variety of psychological

fields of study, as it greatly impacts on psychological well-being and

behavior. Stress-related conditions are believed to be the primary

factor at the root of all psychological problems and dysfunctions.

Carey (2005) explains the physiological stress reaction as follows:

When stress occurs, the sympathetic nervous system is

triggered. Norepinephrine is released by nerves, and

epinephrine is secreted by the adrenal glands. By activating


receptors in blood vessels and other structures, these substances

ready the heart and working muscles for action. Acetylcholine

is released in the parasympathetic nervous system, producing

calming effects. The digestive tract is stimulated to digest a

meal, the heart rate slows, and the pupils of the eyes become

smaller. The neuroendocrine system also maintains the body’s

normal internal functioning. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone

(CRH), a peptide formed by chains of amino acids, is released

from the hypothalamus, a collection of cells at the base of the

brain that acts as a control center for the neuroendocrine

system. CRH travels to the pituitary gland, where it triggers the

release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH travels

in the blood to the adrenal glands, where it stimulates the

release of cortisol. (p. 29).

It is when psychological stress is severe or prolonged that reactions

become harmful and persistent, such as deteriorating memory,

decreased immune function, reduced muscular activity, chronic

hypertension, obesity, and premature aging. Also, a person’s sense of

control is negatively affected, and a perception of helplessness is

generated. People become chronically hostile, irritable, impulsive, and

dissociated.


Figure 1.1: The Stress Reaction

Therefore, stress has an important and pronounced impact on the

physiological and psychological state, and behavior of a person. So-

called “positive” stress, also referred to as eustress (e.g. moderate,

sporadic, and small amounts), is typically desired and beneficial in

improving performance, motivation, and adaptation. In contrast,

excessive amounts of stress, or distress, can cause persistent damage,

including disease, anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional behavior,

including addiction and violence.

Although genetic inheritance undoubtedly plays a role in determining

individual differences in response to adverse events, poor childhood

care is an important factor. Developmental factors can set in motion


undesirable psychological sequelae—dysregulation of affect,

provocative behaviors, the avoidance of intimacy, and disturbances in

attachment, of which the effects will resonate physiological and

psychological into adulthood (Schneiderman, Ironson, & Siegel,

2005). These habits and belief patterns imprint on the personality and

subconscious mind, making it very difficult to change unless steps are

taken to reprogram those by replacing it with positive ideas, thoughts,

beliefs, and habits by way of hypnosis and other techniques.


KEY POINTS

1. Ancient hypnosis practices included tribal dances, rituals, and

drama, often with inhaling or consuming hallucinogenic

substances, guided by a shaman.

2. According to the modern understanding, hypnosis is a

psychological state brought about by suggestion and requires no

specific personality type.

3. Hypnosis gained prominence after World War 2 based on the need

for treatment of veterans, resulting in its official recognition as a

psychological treatment technique in 1960.

4. The mind and body are in constant interaction, which produces

cognitive and physical effects, some of which can become chronic

and habitual.

5. Hypnotherapy has a variety of applications, including behavior

change, increased motivation and performance, managing anxiety

and panic, and dealing with repressed trauma.

6. The subconscious mind is not easily accessible but holds the key to

our habits and beliefs, which can be reprogrammed if problematic.

7. Techniques that are used effectively to reprogram the

subconscious mind includes positive affirmation, visualization,

hypnosis, subliminal messages, meditation, will & habit, and self-

suggestion.

8. Many of our negative thoughts, beliefs, and experiences are related

to a maladaptive stress response; hypnosis and other techniques

can be used to induce relaxation, which leads to more positivity

and improved stress management.

NEXT STEPS

You have completed Module 1. Now move on to Module 2 where we

will discuss the different states of hypnosis and types of

hypnotherapy.


REFERENCES

Carey, J. (2005). Brain facts: A primer on the brain and nervous

system. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Flight, G. (2014). Seven techniques that can reprogram your

subconscious mind. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1RpjYAW.

Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G., & Siegel, S. D. (2005). Stress and

health: Psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants.

Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1, 607-628. DOI:

10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141

Assessment 100 words per question

briefly discuss the History of hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

briefly explain the human mind, how it works and the mind-

body connection?

Explain the basis of Subconscious mind’s re-programming?

Explain Fight or flight responses?

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1. INTRODUCTION TO HYPNOSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY