What Is Hypnosis? Describe the Psychological and Physical Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS? DESCRIBE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF HYPNOSIS AND DISCUSS THE ROLE OF RELAXATION IN HYPNOTHERAPY.
In this essay I will explore the question of ‘What is hypnosis’ by first briefly taking a look through the ages at attempts to define hypnosis and the influence of this evolution on modern theories. I will then describe the various physical and psychological aspects of hypnosis, with a brief illustration into some of the modern brain imaging technologies allowing us to look more deeply at aspects such as suggestion and trance to help us understand the nature of hypnosis. I will finally consider the role of physical and mental relaxation in the hypnotic process and therapeutic hypnotherapy.
The ‘grandfather of hypnosis’ is probably universally thought to be an Austrian doctor called Franz Anton Mesmer (1733-1815). He believed that a cosmic fluid could be stored in inanimate objects, such as magnets, and be transferred to patients to cure them of their illnesses. Mesmer believed that the ‘cosmic fluid’, stimulated by the magnets, was directed through the patient’s body and restored energy that was required for healing. Eventually he discarded the magnets and regarded his own body as the magnet through which the fluid life force could be conducted. Hence the term ‘animal magnetism’. There was no scientific basis to his work but he had tremendous success leading to the presumption that his patients were ‘mesmerized’ into believing and expecting that they could be cured. After Mesmer’s death one of his disciples Marquis de Puysegur believed that the cosmic fluid was not of magnetic origin but electric fluid that was generated in all living things. He used trees to distribute this force to his patients through cords that hung from the branches. He noticed that some of his patients entered a deep sleep during his process. In this state they could still communicate, be lucid and responsive to the suggestions of the mesmerist.
In this essay I will explore the question of ‘What is hypnosis’ by first briefly taking a look through the ages at attempts to define hypnosis and the influence of this evolution on modern theories. I will then describe the various physical and psychological aspects of hypnosis, with a brief illustration into some of the modern brain imaging technologies allowing us to look more deeply at aspects such as suggestion and trance to help us understand the nature of hypnosis. I will finally consider the role of physical and mental relaxation in the hypnotic process and therapeutic hypnotherapy.
The ‘grandfather of hypnosis’ is probably universally thought to be an Austrian doctor called Franz Anton Mesmer (1733-1815). He believed that a cosmic fluid could be stored in inanimate objects, such as magnets, and be transferred to patients to cure them of their illnesses. Mesmer believed that the ‘cosmic fluid’, stimulated by the magnets, was directed through the patient’s body and restored energy that was required for healing. Eventually he discarded the magnets and regarded his own body as the magnet through which the fluid life force could be conducted. Hence the term ‘animal magnetism’. There was no scientific basis to his work but he had tremendous success leading to the presumption that his patients were ‘mesmerized’ into believing and expecting that they could be cured. After Mesmer’s death one of his disciples Marquis de Puysegur believed that the cosmic fluid was not of magnetic origin but electric fluid that was generated in all living things. He used trees to distribute this force to his patients through cords that hung from the branches. He noticed that some of his patients entered a deep sleep during his process. In this state they could still communicate, be lucid and responsive to the suggestions of the mesmerist.
References: [1]Spiegel D et al. (2000). Hypnotic Visual Illusion alters colour Processing in the brain. Am J Psychiatry. 157 (8), 1279-84. [2]Oakley, D Halligan, P. (2009). Hypnotic Suggestion and cognitive neuroscience. Trends in cognitive Sciences. 13 (No 6), p264-270.