What Makes Hypnosis Work?

The mind is much more powerful than most people might imagine.  Within our minds we have the ability to change our perception of reality as well as to gain a much deeper understanding of what underlies our thoughts and actions. 

Hypnosis can prepare us to better use our mind power.  It works by diverting our attention from the here and now, allows us to consider the possibilities of thinking differently, and permits us to choose new paths of thoughts and behavior. 

Reality 

What we perceive to be the real world is a construct of our mind. In other words, we do not see the world as it really is, but as our brain has been conditioned to show it to us. 

For example, when we look at a green tree and then at a red flower, what is the difference between the colors?   In the “real world” colors originate as light photons that travel at different wavelengths.  Our brains are geared to see photon travelling at different wavelengths as different colors.  But there is no color in the “real world”.  Rather there are photons that we believe are all identical. 

When someone mumbles a word, our inner brain can change the mumble into a word we can understand without our knowledge.  For example, if someone says, “I went to the bank to get out my mumble-oney,” we would hear the word “money.”  On the other hand, if someone says, “The bear came into my kitchen and ate the mumble-oney,” we would hear the word “honey.” 

Suppose I gave someone a pair of glasses that turned the world upside down with mirrors.  After wearing the glasses for a couple of days the world would turn right-side-up again, because our brains are geared to make the world accessible to us. 

Once it is understood that all our perceptions are constructs, we can accept better that the hypnotic state can be used to change a construct.  For example, if we are suffering from chronic pain that has been evaluated by a physician and serves no purpose, we can tell ourselves that rather than perceiving a sensation in our bodies as painful, it can feel warm or tingly. 

Understanding 

Much of our inner knowledge and wisdom is not readily accessible when we are focused on the here and now.  Through use of hypnosis, we can calm ourselves sufficiently to hear the thoughts that are part of our subconscious. 

I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that many children and teenagers gain access to inner wisdom through the use of hypnosis.  This wisdom can help guide them in their lives.   When children become aware of such wisdom within them, they gain confidence and develop enhanced self-esteem. 

Take Home Message 

Use of hypnosis can help open our minds to new possibilities that can be life changing.  

About Center Point Medicine  

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Author

Ran D. Anbar, MD Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP, is board certified in both pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics, offering hypnosis and counseling services at Center Point Medicine in La Jolla, California, and Syracuse, New York. Dr. Anbar is also a fellow and approved consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Anbar is a leader in clinical hypnosis, and his 20 years of experience have allowed him to successfully treat over 5,000 children. He also served as a professor of pediatrics and medicine and the director of pediatric pulmonology at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, for 21 years.