Hypnosis techniques

There are a wide variety of techniques employed for ethical hypnosis around the world, in fields of medicine and entertainment and there is no consensus among practitioners about which is the best technique available to them. Most commonly, thought, techniques using relaxation as the primary premise for induction of hypnosis are used by the practitioners, using suggestions of various limbs getting limp or heavy, or eyes getting heavier, and inducing sleep. But relaxation isn't a necessary prerequisite for induction of hypnosis as it has been found by research that even during vigorous exercise, a surreal hypnotic state can be achieved.

There are two schools of induction, 'progressive relaxation' also referred to as PR, generally used in medicine where the relaxed subject is hypnotized over a period of half an hour or more, and 'rapid induction' or RI, where the combination of shock and a subjects anticipation allows for quick hypnosis. RI is generally used by stage hypnosis as it is convenient while holding the attention of audiences.

It is also commonly perceived that hypnosis against one's wishes is not possible, although experts counter the belief with the argument that it is possible to change what a person wants, and hence hypnotize anyone. Non-inhibition of a subject is essential in such cases and once Non-inhibited; a subject can be found doing things he or she would generally refrain from.

The Hypnosis Algorithm

Most hypnotists follow a simple thumb rule while hypnotizing their subjects, consisting of five basic, yet essential steps in the process.

It begins with preparing the subject, allowing him or her to relax, and get comfortable generally by sitting or lying down. This is followed by the induction process which takes the subject to an enhanced state of relaxation, after which the state is deepened, causing the fully fledged state of hypnosis to take over. This is the stage where the purpose of the hypnosis is carried out. If it is for amusement, then the subject is made to do things to amuse an audience, and if it is for medical purposes, the very same is carried out. For example, this is the stage where a person wanting to quit smoking will be persuaded to do so. The final stage is that of waking up. This is the awakening phase where the subject is called out of the hypnotized stage. If the process was to alleviate insomnia, sleep is encouraged, else, a fully engaged conscious mind is called out of hypnosis.

Hypnosis generally results in increased focus and causes a subject to be oblivious to his or her surroundings, and hence open to suggestibility and causes a person to be lost in thought. Highway hypnosis is a common example where a driver has hardly any idea of intervening distances after coming much further down a road.