What is Hypnosis?

The word hypnosis is used in many different contexts. Firstly we have the state in which people seem to be particularly open to the helpful suggestions of a hypnotist - this is the idea of being in a hypnotic trance. In fact, some people believe that hypnosis is just this - a special state of mind that the hypnotist can move the client into, though this doesn't cover all the contexts in which the word is used or the skills usually associated with hypnosis.

We also have the concept of suggestion - that is the use of hypnotic language whether someone is in a trance or not. The extreme version of this is seen in stage hypnosis shows up and down the country.

So it seems that hypnosis is a word that really refers to a number of different 'effects' based around communication. It may be (and this is just my own opinion) that many of the effects of hypnosis are side effects of how the brain has evolved, or leftovers from thought processes that are useful for children's development - but that could just be my own flight of fancy - like everyone else I'd really like to know 'what is hypnosis?'

But one thing that is clear is that a hypnotist can develop skills that allow them to influence, affect, and help an individual, whether they know how it works or not.