Hypnosis is a natural state, in fact, we are in hypnosis many times each day. We pass through hypnosis on our way to sleep and when we wake up each morning.
Recent studies of ultradian rhythms, these are bio-rhythms that are less than one day long, conclude that every 90 to 120 minutes we pass into a state physiologically identical to hypnosis. So when people ask; Can I be hypnotized? The answer is; You already are.
Here are some other times in which people experience hypnosis naturally. If you’ve ever woken up, feeling very relaxed but not needing to be anywhere and thought something like “Maybe I’ll get up and brush my teeth,” but your body is too relaxed to move, you’ve been experiencing hypnosis. Becoming absorbed in a good book or movie is experiencing hypnosis.
Driving on long trips on automatic pilot is known as highway hypnosis. Becoming bored or allowing your mind to drift away leads to hypnosis. Becoming extremely engaged in something and allowing your mind to focus means that you are experiencing hypnosis. Because of the rhythmic sounds and swaying, riding on the train is often a highly hypnotic experience.
Hypnosis is a state in which you can think clearly and your imagination is active. It’s a state where you could move if you wanted to or if there were an emergency but you would rather just remain delightfully relaxed. It’s a state in which beneficial ideas can more quickly and easily gain access to the inner mind. And because we all experience trance each day, we can understand just how safe it is.
Observable indicators of the state of hypnosis
People often wonder what hypnosis feels like, but the truth is, there is no such thing as a hypnotized feeling. Neither are there any flashing lights to let you know you are in hypnosis. There will not be a point where you suddenly think, “Yeah, I’m there now, I can tell.” Hypnosis does not work like that.
However, you may notice some of the following sensations:
- Deep physical relaxation in all areas of the body.
- A feeling of heaviness, or for some – near-weightlessness.
- Breathing tends to become slower, steadier and shallower.
- Some people may notice a tingling sensation in their fingers.
- Time distortion; time somehow seems to pass quickly or slowly.
- Increased emotional arousal, suggestibility and realization.
As for the depth of trance you experience in hypnosis – this will be determined by your own conscious or subconscious limitations. This is why it is often said that “all hypnosis is self hypnosis”, since a hypnotherapist can only guide you to the depth that you yourself allow.
The good news is that you do not need to reach a deep state of hypnosis to benefit from our self hypnosis audio recordings. By focusing your mind, you will enter hypnosis, especially by accepting the fact that you will probably not feel hypnotized.
The state of hypnosis is impossible to measure
The odd thing about hypnosis is that it is just about impossible to “measure” it in any way. The brainwave patterns, if they are observed via EEG equipment, show no change whatsoever from the alpha brainwaves of normal relaxation; they definitely do not resemble the theta waves seen during sleep.
There are several observable signs during the state of hypnosis, which may occur, such as those listed above, but nothing that is scientifically measurable. This is why there is so much contention over whether hypnosis actually does exist at all. When you have observed it like we have, there will be no doubt whatsoever in your own mind that it does exist.
