Hypnosis is a trance-like state where the patient experiences an enhanced focus and suggestibility. While a person who is hypnotized may seem zoned out, they are hyper-aware.

Hypnosis is done under the guidance of a trained therapist and is used to reduce undesired behaviors or better cope with pain and anxiety. While hypnotist TV shows have shown hypnosis in a bad light, it’s essential to know that you don’t lose control of yourself.

Different Types of Hypnosis

There are a few different types of hypnosis to be aware of:

• Hypnotherapy is a type of hypnosis administered by a qualified therapist, used to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), eating disorders, and phobias.
• Guided hypnosis. This hypnosis requires you to listen to and follow recorded instructions on a mobile app.
• Self-hypnosis is where the person puts themselves into a hypnotic state using visualizations and affirmations. Some studies have shown this form of hypnosis to reduce back pain and enhance weight loss effectively.

Why Use Hypnosis?

Hypnosis improves a wide range of health conditions and behaviors. Some of these include:

• Control of pain
• Management of ADHD
• Reduction of dementia symptoms
• Alleviation of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Help alleviate skin conditions
• Treatment of chronic pain during childbirth
• Reduced vomiting and nausea in cancer patients
• Behavior changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and preventing bed wetting
• Enhance sleep health in those with insomnia

3 Things Hypnosis Cannot Do

While hypnosis is a powerful tool that can help in many ways, it does have limitations. Here are 3 things hypnosis cannot do, no matter how talented the therapist:

• Hypnosis Cannot Cure a Serious Disease. While hypnosis has proved to help people with cancer relax, deal with pain, and cope with the treatment, it cannot cure a person of the disease or any other severe disease.
• Hypnosis Cannot Change a Person’s Appearance. Hypnosis cannot change your appearance. It can only affect your brain and your actions.
• Hypnosis Cannot Make You Live Forever. While hypnosis cannot make you live forever, it can help prolong your life by helping you get rid of bad habits and have a more positive, happy life experience.

If you struggle to fall asleep or get a night of deep sleep, try self-hypnosis meditations on the BetterSleep app. Several meditations use self-hypnosis and will guide you through the steps needed to drift off more quickly and wake up refreshed.