Does hypnosis realy work

Answer 1

Wasn't sure about this, but was curious, so went to see a hypnotherapist...

Lay on a couch, and focused my eyes on a dot on the ceiling positioned slightly above my line of sight whilst listening to her voice...

Felt very relaxed, but didn't really think much was happening - just felt "floaty" - her voice droned on in the background...

Weirdly, however, after a while I just found myself doing what she said and responding to her comments and questions without any conscious effort on my part. I had no desire to move unless told to, and found myself answering her questions without really thinking about my responses. I can't really remember anything specific, just that I responded...

Things just seemed to happen - my arm was raised up in the air; it became totally rigid, then flopped down, totally limp. Then I was circling my hands around each other - round and round and round, faster, then slowly, just as directed. Then she had me eating an apple, and juggling with two balls which were not there, but it all seemed totally real.

Suddenly, I found myself standing, and the next thing I knew I was dancing with someone who wasn't there, but I was seeing her and touching her even though a part of me knew it was all a fantasy! I also had interesting "conversations" with famous historical figures which seemed totally real - I "saw" them and, in my mind, talked with them.

She stroked my hand telling me it was completely numb, and I then watched, fascinated, as she pushed a needle through the skin between my thumb and forefinger, and felt nothing. Amazingly, there was virtually no bleeding.

Eventually she brought me out of trance, but it took a long time because I did not want to move; I just lay there staring into space not really seeing anything, but feeling wonderfully "dreamy".

It was an interesting experience, and yes, I'd say, hypnosis really does work. She did, however, explain that I am one of the minority of people (about 10%) who are very responsive to hypnosis. I read a lot, have high powers of concentration, and am open to novel experiences. Also, I was very interested in being hypnotised, and, therefore, extremely cooperative and willing to follow her instructions. Finally, but not least, I am interested in the mind and its workings, and am able easily to roll my eyes right up into my head and keep them there without any effort. I am what some hypnotherapists call a "Grade 5 highly hypnotisable", so my experiences would probably not be typical of the majority of "moderately hypnotisables".