Hypnotism Is It Magic Or Reality

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Hypnotism: Is it Magic or Reality

Most people know what it is. It has been seen on television and in movies, and the saying, "You are getting very sleepy" has become a widely used phrase. Hypnosis has almost always been thought of as a magic trick, but recent studies show that it is becoming more popular in medicine and everyday life.

Hypnosis is defined as a state of mind where the body is more reactive to suggestions than in normal conditions. When under hypnosis, one narrows his or her attention to one subject or object. Everyone in the world has experienced hypnosis many times. Some examples are daydreaming and not realizing other events happening, being engrossed in a book or a movie, or getting lost in thoughts while driving and missing an exit (Alman 7). One also experiences hypnosis just before falling asleep at night and again before becoming fully awake in the morning (Basic Information 1).

Even though everyone experiences hypnosis at least twice daily, it is not a highly understood subject by most. To fully understand how hypnosis works, one has to understand the four different activity levels of the human mind. The first level is called beta. In beta the mind is in complete consciousness. Approximately 75 percent of this level is spent regulating vital bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion. The second state is called alpha. Alpha refers to when the mind is in 95 to 100 percent concentration. When hypnosis is induced, the mind is in the alpha level. In this state the mind is fully aware and conscious, but the outside appearance of the body suggests the person being hypnotized is asleep. The last two activity levels are theta and delta. In theta the unconscious mind is in a light sleep, and delta refers to the deepest sleep possible (Goldberg 13-14).

Hypnosis takes place in the alpha level because the mind is still in a conscious state (Goldberg 14). During hypnosis dissociation occurs, which is when part of the mind’s experience is separated from conscious awareness (Barber 2). This is why a hypnotized person is prone to believe suggestions made, no matter how absurd they are. "A deeply hypnotized person will swear that the sky is brown if such a suggestion is made and accepted" (Phelps 10).

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...er, Joseph. "The Reality of Hypnosis." Downloaded from the Internet at

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"Basic Information." Downloaded from the Internet at

www.hypnosis.hypermart.net/info.html, Nov. 9, 1998.

Bryan, William J. "A History of Hypnosis." Downloaded from the Internet at

www.infinityinst.com/articles/nartic.html, Nov. 10, 1998.

Copelan, Rachel. How to Hypnotize Yourself and Others. New York: Bell, 1984.

Goldberg, Bruce. Secrets of Self-Hypnosis. New York: Sterling, 1997.

Guyonnaud, J.P., and Giovanni Sciuto. Self-Hypnosis Step By Step. Trans. Elfreda

Powell. London: Souvenir Press Ltd., 1996.

Hunter, Roy. "Official alt.hypnosis FAQ." Downloaded from the Internet at

www.hypnosis,com/trance/hypnofaq.html, Nov. 9, 1998.

"Hypnosis and Biofeedback." Good Housekeeping March 1994: 104-7.

Long, Patricia. "Medical Mesmerism." Psychology Today Jan. 1986: 28-29.

Phelps, Lynn. Your Guide to Medical Hypnosis. Madison: Medical Physics Publishing,

1993.

Wilkes, John. "A Study in Hypnosis." Psychology Today Jan. 1986: 23-27.

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