Hypnosis Essay

The history of hypnosis is full of contradiction. One can compare it to that of breathing; as hypnosis, breathing is an intrinsic and universal trait, shared and experienced by all human beings since the dawn of time, but it has been only decades that man has come to study and appreciate its immense importance (Kihlstorm 1). Hence, continuingly preserving its relevance to breathing, "[h]ypnosis itself hasn't changed for millennia, but our understanding of it and our ability to control it has changed quite profoundly. The history of hypnosis, then, is really the history of this change in perception"(Kihlstorm 1). It has always been present, while it is a naturally occurring state of your body, yet it is has just recently been dissected and experimented upon to truly comprehend its proper purpose and power. "Ancient Chinese, Hindu, and Egyptian texts all mention healing procedures that are hypnotic inductions by any other name"(Walkin 4), therefore the roots of hypnosis have come a long ways. During these times, the practice was preformed, yet with no scientific explanation, consequently resulting in the rumor of demonic, or spiritual work. After modernization and industrialization began to replace and extinguish all non- proven techniques, including hypnosis, hypnosis took several decades until its next prosperous upspring. The first application of hypnosis on the medical field can be credited to the famous Franz Mesmer as his work "can be seen as both the last flourish of 'occult' hypnosis and the first flourish of the 'scientific' view point. Mesmer was the first to propose a rational basis for the effects of hypnosis" (Walkin 16). Mesmer allowed hypnosis to flourish once again, but in order to be accepted amongst the new 'enlig...

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...f your thinking" (Temes 11). The unconscious mind, which controls all of the automatic processes in your body involuntarily, allows any idea to stick in your brain. With the conscious mind absent, the brain does not judge any new incoming ideas, so the mind will agree and believe them with no doubt. In this comfortable, subconscious-free state, "your guard is down; Ideas you might ordinarily object to are easily transmitted into your mind. You will not reject new information that you might ordinarily be wary of" (Temes 12). As a result, one can easily overcome phobias the mind usually rejected or feared, and also take into consideration new characteristics or habits. With your brain mentally managing almost every aspect of your actions and character, this control of the mind allows for an effective alternative or medical technique to help aid in several situations.