What is hypnosis? There are many varying definitions that try to define exactly what hypnosis means and how it is used. The American Psychological Association defines hypnosis as a “cooperative interaction in which the participant responds to the suggestions of the hypnotist”. While hypnosis has become famous as an act where people are used to perform ridiculous actions for others amusement, it has also been clinically proven to provide medical and therapeutic benefits. These benefits usually center on pain and anxiety, but what about other forms of hypnosis. There have been case studies on hypnosis for exploring nightmares, for past lives regression, …show more content…
The procedure while looked down upon by some is still used by reputable doctors and psycologist today. There are those who believe it to be a valid medical tool of science. The word hypnosis is a broad term. It covers many, many different states of consciousness and many different types of suggestive therapy. The details of a hypnotic procedure or hypnotic suggestion can be different depending on what goal the practitioner is trying to accomplish and what is the purpose of the action. The introduction of hypnosis is first presented to the patient. The procedure involves telling the subject that suggestions for imaginative experiences will be presented to him/her. Hypnotic induction is a suggestion for someone to use their imagination, and can contain more elaborations of the introduction. Hypnotic procedure, however; is used to encourage and evaluate the person’s responses to suggestions. The person being Hypnotized is guided by the hypnotist to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective alterations of perceptions, experiences, emotions, or behavior. If the subject indeed responds to hypnotic suggestions, it can be inferred that hypnosis has been induced and was successful. Suggestions which permit the extent of the hypnosis to be assessed, can be used in both clinical and research settings, by comparing responses to standardized