The proof of how powerful hypnosis can be, comes in many forms. So much so that certain practices have long since been discontinued on the basis ethics and professionalism.

Some years ago, a fairly common practice in stage hypnosis was to induce a state called the full body catalepsy. In this state, the "subject" experiences a complete rigidity of all the muscle groups in his body. He/she becomes completely stiff, like a piece of wood. As a demonstration, stage hypnotists would often position the subject's head and feet on opposing chairs, without support through the torso and legs. This created a sort of human bridge, upon which the hypnotist would sit or stand. 

The full body catalepsy contains no therapeutic use whatsoever. It serves merely for theatrics, and it's obviously quite frowned upon today. It is unlikely to be seen very much these days for ethical reasons. Despite the fact that you're unlikely to see such a stunt, it remains a strong example of how powerful hypnosis can be. The act of turning a person's body into a rod of iron with mere suggestion is quite simply an amazing feat. 

To a greatly lessened extent, catalepsy is still used today, but only on isolated body parts like an arm or a leg. This is done to deepen the state of hypnosis, and bears no risk of injury to the subject unlike the full body catalepsy. In fact, they don't even feel any discomfort. For instance, I can induce hypnosis on someone, and bring about arm catalepsy, and they can remain in this position for an extended period of time, even an hour, without feeling a thing. Try this at home, and within a few short moments, you will feel extremely uncomfortable.

Hypnosis is its own form of pain control. A technique called glove anesthesia can be induced where the hand can be made to feel numb, and experience a total loss of sensation. The anesthesia can then be transferred to other parts of the body by putting the anesthetized hand on another body part, such as the stomach. This is a very powerful technique which I have used many times with great success. 

A more subtle example of the power of hypnosis is witnessed regularly if you watch competitive athletes, like runners, as they mentally prepare for a race. There extreme focus and concentration takes them to a place where everything else is tuned out, and they are literally running every inch of that race in their mind, before it even begins, mentally planning every step.

Fortunately, we needn't go to severe extremes anymore to prove the power of hypnosis. The theatrical impact of hypnosis has of course dropped in popularity over the past decade or so anyway, and practices such as the full body catalepsy are a thing of the past. There is no longer the need for hypnotists to demonstrate the amazing power the mind has over the physical body. The general public is much more aware of the power and effects of hypnosis these days, even if there are still many myths that still remain.

When it comes to exploring the history of hypnotism, you will find both scientific and unscientific pit stops throughout time. There is also an artistic aspect that warrants attention regarding the subject. As you study the records associated with this unique mental journey, an assortment of characters illustrate the power that hypnosis has possessed throughout the years.

To truly appreciate the longevity of hypnosis, it is vital to take a look at its use throughout ancient civilizations. While there is evidence showcasing the use of hypnosis rituals during pre-historic times, you may find one of the first intriguing visual accounts through hieroglyphics decorating the early 3000 BC tombs of ancient Egyptians. It is believed that hypnotism was utilized within various "sleep temples," which had connections to healing or religion.

Throughout ancient history, a wide range of ancient proof surrounds the fact that hypnotism was understood and practiced during numerous medicinal practices and rituals. Celtic druids to ancient Greeks to Chinese religious leaders have all shown a respect for hypnotism, as the accomplishment was also prevalent throughout Africa, Persia and South America. It is even thought that details regarding the practice of hypnosis can be found throughout the pages of the Jewish Scriptures and the Hindu Vedas.

Surrounded by spiritualism, magic and divine power, hypnotism was met with plenty of opposition for those who questioned this mysterious practice and technique. During the early years, hypnosis was a popular exercise associated with shamans, witch doctors, as well as high priests. With each passing year, there have been thousands of influences upon hypnosis, as scientific, as well as unscientific approaches contributed to the advancement of this captivating entity.

Hypnosis in the 1700s

During the 1700s, one of the most well known figures in hypnosis history is an Austrian by the name of Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). Throughout the 18th century, he led the way in the usage of trace, which earned him the nickname, "Father of Hypnosis." It is also through his name that we find the term, "mesmerism."

At the urging of Mozart, Mesmer purchased a space where he could perform magical "cures" on people. While many praised his healing powers, which were often accompanied with lights and other gimmicks, there were others who dismissed his results as a figment of the imagination. One notable critic was none other than Benjamin Franklin.

Hypnosis During the 1800s

In France, one of the first scientific explorations regarding hypnosis took place with the help of Abbe Castodi de Faria. He investigated the ins and outs of the practice as it related to trances and willing participants. Faria is also credited with establishing what is known as the "fixed-gaze method," which became a rage throughout stage hypnotism shows.

Also during this time, without the effort of John Elliotson of England, the use of magnetism and hypnosis may have never found its way in easing the pain of surgery. As for the concept of autosuggestion, the thoughts and teachings of Emile Coue brought this to the public. Coue contended that all hypnosis was influenced by self-hypnotic techniques.

But during the 1800s, it was the work of Dr. James Braid that really catapulted hypnosis. Through his studies, suggestibility, as it related to trance, was thought to be an individual occurrence. Using vocal suggestion, he was able to explore the influence that hypnotists had on their subjects. Braid is also honored for discovering "waking hypnosis."

Entering the 20th Century

The history of hypnotism travels throughout a vast record in time. It was used to treat trauma victims during both World Wars. Dentists utilized its power as hypnotic-anesthesia. In 1955, the British Medical Association began to consider hypnotherapy as a legitimate medical treatment. Three years later, the American Medical Association (AMA) agreed. Following these acknowledgements throughout the medical world, a host of professional associations for hypnotists started to pop up across the globe. To date, the National Guild of Hypnotists is still the oldest and largest of its kind.

During the 20th century, many researchers, doctors and other medical figures began to take interest in learning more about hypnosis. Important strides on the subject were then made by the likes of John Kappas, Ormond McGill, Milton Erickson and Dave Elman.

To explore the history of hypnosis, one will encounter a wealth of personalities who have shaped the way people viewed and accepted the field. Well-known characters, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Thomas Edison, Winston S. Churchill and Albert Einstein have also shown interest in hypnosis or self-hypnosis.

When it comes to defining what hypnosis can and cannot do, I can only share with you what I know as fact, first hand, based on my own experience. In my opinion, if hypnosis has any limitations, they will be a direct result of unrealistic expectations.  

I have seen hypnosis work in conjunction with traditional medicine. I have seen significantly reduced impact of side effects to certain treatments like chemotherapy. I have seen a reduction in pain, and increased tolerance to chemo and other treatments. I have witnessed a greatly improved ability to cope with the emotional strain of terminal illness with the help of hypnosis. But I have never seen hypnosis cure cancer. And I wouldn't state that it can. Maybe others have made such claims, and if in fact they have achieved such heights of success with hypnosis, they can and should attest to it. But ethically, I cannot speak to speculation or risk imposing any false hopes upon my clients.

Other questionable benefits of hypnosis include actual physical changes in the body like enlarged breasts, or increased height. Perhaps if I were to follow the pursuit of one such benefit for an extended period of time, by specializing in breast enlargement for instance, I might be able to report back to you that it does in fact work, and that I did achieve the desired result. But again, I can only attest to what I know with certainty.  

In my personal and professional opinion, an ethical hypnotherapist will promise only what he knows he can deliver. There are enormous benefits from listening to self hypnosis CDs and downloads. Yet there is no need to resort to falsifying facts. I've seen therapists selling hypnosis products for a wide range of issues. An unfortunate risk in making unrealistic promises is that people will lose faith in hypnosis altogether and deny themselves the benefits of this incredible tool because of the poor ethics of one or a few persons.

I certainly want people to try self hypnosis, and I wholehearted believe that everyone can benefit from it to some degree, but I also care to be able to live with myself, and respect the face in the mirror, and I would not go to unlimited lengths to get people to try it or purchase my product.  

Those who have tried self hypnosis will need no further convincing, and those who haven't should not have to fear false promises.

Before anyone experiences hypnosis and starts using it to make wonderful, beneficial changes in their life, this article is designed to perhaps to answer a few questions you may have and also to dispel a few myths and misconceptions about hypnosis.

You know, I still meet people that believe that experiencing hypnosis is like being unconscious. I always reply, "What would be the point of that? Spending money and time to be unconscious in someone else's company?? If I wanted you to be unconscious we would simply bash you over the head!" So it is important that you also know that hypnosis is not about being unconscious and that you have the correct expectations about the hypnotic experience that you are going to have, should you choose to invest in one of our products or experience hypnosis for yourself with a hypnotist. 

In order to understand hypnosis, it is important to understand and differentiate between our minds. By that I am referring to our conscious mind, where we are now and just below that level of awareness is our unconscious mind (also known as the subconscious mind, for the purpose of easy understanding they are the same thing). 

The conscious mind is where we usually spend most of our waking time, you know that internal dialogue we have that thinks "hmmm, what shoes shall I wear today" that is your conscious mind. Your conscious mind basically does four things; 

Firstly, your conscious mind analyses. What is that? Well that is the part of us that looks at problems, analyses them and tries to create solutions to those problems. It is that part of us that makes decisions all day every day "shall I open the door?", "Shall I have something to eat", even though they are automatic behaviours, we make a conscious decision about whether or not to do these things. 

The second part of our conscious mind is our rationale, the part of us that, especially in western cultures, always has to know "Why" things happen and "Why" we behave in particular ways. This can cause us so many problems as we give any problems more and more credence and power. More conventional and traditional methods of counselling or psychotherapy are often very much concerned with looking at causes of our problems and it is my opinion that all this does is teaches us "why" they happen as opposed to giving us the skills required to changing unwanted habits and behaviours. The more we think about "why" we do things the more we seem to embed the unwanted behaviour into our psyches! 

The third part of our conscious mind is will power, that teeth-gritted determination that so many of us are proud to demonstrate. How many times have we used our will power alone to make changes and found that our will power weakens and that change is temporary or non-existent. 

The final part of our conscious mind is your short-term memory. By that I am referring to the things that you need to remember to function on a day-to-day basis, so that when your phone rings you know to answer it rather than stare at it wondering it is, or ensuring that you cross the road without being run over.

That is the conscious part of your mind, it is logical, rational and analytical, a bit like Mr Spock from the Start Trek series and as much as it pains me to say it, our conscious mind is frequently wrong about things. 

Your conscious mind is wherever you happen to be pointing it at any given time. I am sure you have been in a busy, noisy environment, such as a restaurant or a bar and have been engaged in a conversation with another individual, and all the sounds going on around you just seem to blend into the background. Then someone else ten metres away can punctuate their sentence with your name and you pick it out as if it was being spoken to you. This illustrates that unconsciously, you are aware of many, many pieces of information every second of your life, sounds, colours, thoughts etc, yet your conscious mind allows you to focus upon what is pertinent or relevant to you at that moment. 

If you take that conscious awareness and point it inside of yourself instead of outside into the world, you begin to become aware of your inner self, your unconscious self, which is the part of you that we work with in hypnosis. 

Your unconscious mind is tremendously powerful and automates as much behaviour as it possibly can so that we do not have to think about it. For example, there was a time in your life when you had to be shown how to tie your shoelaces, and you concentrated on doing this. I suspect that by this stage in your life you know how tie your shoelaces very well and you don't even think about doing it, you just do it. I have a lonely Auntie who as a boy, my mother would ask me to phone on a weekly basis as she thought this would make her happy and I vividly remember hearing her lighting up a cigarette and heavily exhaling the smoke while on the phone, she didn't even think about what she was doing, she just associated smoking with being on the phone. 

We are amazing learning machines and we learn behaviours and habits and then our unconscious mind automates them and does them on auto pilot so that we do not have to think about doing them. 

Your unconscious mind has within it all your long-term memory. Just about every blade of grass that you have seen in your entire lifetime is stored away in your long-term memory that serves as an amazing storage centre. These memories affect us in varying ways, some more than others. Sometimes our ability to remember them is not as fluid as we need, as it is often not necessary to have all our memory in the forefront of our minds. For example, right now you are unlikely to be thinking about everything that happened to you on your last birthday, however, me just mentioning it, you can dig into your unconscious, long-term memory and remember.

Another example is if you have ever seen a live stand up comedy show. You watch the comedian and laugh (or not as the case may be!) heartily as you listen to lots and lots of jokes. Then when you leave the venue, you can remember none of them, or one or two at best! Then, a week later, a friend that you were with can say to you "do you remember such and such a joke from last weeks comedian" and you think "oh yeeeaaah!" as you bring that information out from your long-term memory. You know that you know the joke, it was just not at the forefront of your conscious mind, it was tucked away in the deeper unconscious.

Your unconscious mind knows more about you than you consciously that you know. Sound confusing? Well, just think, you are currently breathing, your heart is beating (I do hope!) you are digesting, your body is regulating its body temperature, it is doing a range of wonderful things without you having to consciously think about it. You are not sat around thinking "I really must remember to breathe". We are not machines, there is an intelligence within us that knows how to do these things, and it is that intelligence that we tap into with hypnosis. 

Your unconscious mind is where you get your gut feelings, your instincts and intuition that communicates with you sporadically from time to time. Like when sometimes, someone can be saying all the right words to you, but you get a different feeling about them. 

Your unconscious mind is a bit like a computer. Throughout your entire lifetime it has been programmed with all your experiences, relationships, interpretations of the world, influences and all this has culminated in your computer functioning with that programming. Hypnosis is simply a way of accessing that computer and updating that programming so that it becomes instinctive and intuitive for you to make the changes that please you. 

Your unconscious mind is the seat of your emotions and where your behaviours exist and it is the part of you that we work with in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a way of us stepping over your conscious mind and accessing the unconscious mind to make powerful and profound changes. 

Now, I am sure that you have experienced natural trance states many times before, in fact I know it. For example, when you have been driving in a car and thought to yourself "ooh, how did I get here?" or when you have been reading a book and you've turned the page and thought "I have no idea what I have just read, I am going to have to read it all again". I can remember being at school watching my history teacher teach me, yet my mind was a million miles away wishing I was doing something else. All common experiences, daydream like states that we all experience, many times a day. The only difference between these naturally occurring states and those that we use in therapeutic hypnosis, is that with the hypnosis, you intend to enter the state, you are in control of it and it is just like a slightly amplified, deeper version of the state. That is it. Sometimes it is simply like sitting in a chair with your eyes closed, not the magical mystical or unusual experience that some people are led to believe it is. 

It is important here to know that you cannot be made to do anything that you don't want to do. Very important. I had a guy that a doctor referred to me, came to see me and said to me "my doctor told me come and see you as I have emphysema and am going to die of it unless I stop smoking". I said to him, well I presume you want to stop, he said "oh, no, I love smoking, it is one of few remaining pleasures." I had to send him away as I cannot make him do something that he does not want to. Can you imagine if I could do that!! Wow. I could go and see my bank manager and make him give me million pounds without returning it! You never read about "Baddy hypnotists" making people rob banks or anything else absurd, because it cannot be done. 

People usually then say to me "ok Adam, I hear and understand what you are saying and it all makes sense". However, I have seen stage hypnosis and seen people dancing like chickens, are you telling me that they want to do that?" I am saying that these people are not being made to do things that they don't want to do. 

When someone buys tickets to a stage hypnosis show, they are being permissive to the notion that they are going to see hypnosis for entertainment; they expect certain things to happen. Secondly, when the stage hypnotist asks the audience "who wants to come on stage" the people that agree to do so or put their hands up are saying "yes, I want to be hypnotised", they are not being made to do anything they don't want to do. The stage hypnotist ensures that the individuals on the show are receptive and follow a large number of compliance exercises and it begins to create the illusion that these people are doing things that they don't want to do, when they are not. The hypnosis can step over the inhibitions of the conscious mind, so that the individuals behave with more openness, they just cannot be made to do things they don't want to do. 

Anyone can be hypnotised. I work with insomniacs, heroin addicts, schizophrenics, people experiencing chemotherapy, these are all people that are often convinced that they cannot relax or cannot be hypnotised, and as long as they want to, they all can and they all do. 

All that is required is that you have an open mind, that you expect it to work and have progressive, motivated thoughts about the processes, follow the sessions and allow them to help you help yourself to make the changes you want and deserve. 

Finally, at the beginning of the recorded hypnosis sessions and/or individual NLP or hypnosis sessions with me (I cannot speak for other therapists, we all do things differently) individually, you may be asked to do a number of different things with your mind and you can be forgiven for thinking, "well, he asked me to do this, and now something else, and now another thing, what exactly am I supposed to be listening to?" The simple answer is that you listen and follow as much or as little as you want to, remember that is your conscious mind thinking those thoughts and that is not the part of you that we are working with and making the change with.  I am sure that there will also be times when you'll be thinking "hmmm... am I in hypnosis, what am I supposed to be thinking or feeling." Again that is your conscious mind thinking that thought and does not matter what it is thinking. It can be attempting to follow everything that I am saying or just wandering off and thinking about whatever you like, just trust that your unconscious mind is absorbing all that you want it to. 

There will be times in the sessions when you may be asked to imagine things. Imagining things does not have to mean visualising. If I ask you to think of a favourite place, you can imagine what it would be like, you don't have to be seeing a picture perfect cinema version of it in your mind.  You can imagine, sense, think, or just know it without seeing it or picturing it in every detail. If I asked you to imagine the sound your feet make when you walk across gravel, you know the sound I am talking about and you can imagine it, but you are not necessarily hearing it in your ears, you can imagine it. That is all you'll need. 

So, hypnosis is not like being unconscious, it is almost like having heightened awareness, it requires you to want the change, have an open, positive mind, as best as you can, and allow whatever happens to happen, without trying to grasp at what you think should happen, just letting it happen. 

I wish you all the very best with whichever hypnosis product, or with any consultative sessions you are considering having with any qualified therapist or any training you plan to attend and I just know that having come this far, you really can do it, and make the changes that you want to make with hypnosis.

This article is about some of the down sides to the winter months and how using a few mental tools you can not only survive but thrive through the dark, cold winter months.

Research shows that there is a general increase in stress levels amongst the western population on the run up to the end of the year and through the first couple of months into the next. This time of year is also associated with increases in financial instability, increases in domestic disputes and mental health problems.

There are many factors involved in this including the burden on time and money for the festive season, dark, cold winter months and being the time of year that people re-evaluate there lives.

There are several ways a few simple 'mind tools' can help to ease this burden.

The issue of stress is a complex one and I don't intend this to be a complete answer all for the issues. I do know that by taking a few minutes a day to clear out the tension and relax can have a significant impact on stress levels. A simple self hypnosis trance induction that takes twenty minutes or less every day will significantly help. Just Google Self Hypnosis scripts and you will find hundreds of good ones along with instructions on how to use them.

The net result of spending this time will mean more focus, more energy and drive to get everything you need done. Of course the clever thing here is to use the induction to train the unconscious element of your mind to be more effective. But more of that below.

We are significantly impacted by sunlight and shorter daylight hours along with spending more time indoors. Again issues such as SAD and medical conditions are beyond the scope of this article, but by using creative visualization techniques you can have an impact on how you feel. A simple idea like visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach somewhere can take a lot of tension out of the day and bring you back to something like normality...but obviously there are some things we can do to increase the benefits still further.

One issue that seems to come up regularly at the end of a year is that people re-evaluate what they have achieved and their goals for the coming year. The impact of this for many people is dissatisfaction over the last year and a feeling of nothing changing for the year ahead. Here self hypnosis and NLP techniques can really help.

Your unconscious mind is the store house for all of your memories, emotions and habitual behavior. It is also where you keep your beliefs, values and identity. Using self hypnosis and NLP techniques you can draw a lot of these things into your conscious awareness and change them. The implications of this can be huge for example:

Changing habits from nail biting, smoking or getting to the gym. Letting go of negative emotions like social anxiety, fear of failure and depressive states. Installing empowering ideas, beliefs and values such as self confidence, abundance thinking, the ability to grow your business / role / relationships

By being able to let go of negative emotions around what you don't want and increasing your motivation for what you do want you are creating a self propelling unconscious guided missile that is always driving you towards a better life.

Imagine being able to do this in twenty minutes a day and taking as much effort on it as you would a cat nap. Now for the bad news, generally getting this level of proficiency takes training. Any good self hypnosis course will give you the tools, process and practice to be able to do this quickly and easily. These sorts of courses only take a couple of days and are a great investment of time and money.

Think for a moment about all the stress and strain of life generally and consider the implications of not only surviving but thriving, growing and developing a better future just through a daily twenty minute cat nap...

Chances are you have heard about someone who has used hypnosis for weight loss with great success. Since the number of people using hypnosis for this area is growing, we hear more and more success stories of people who have battled weight gain over the years who are now enjoying a slimmer and healthier body through hypnosis.

Okay, you might be asking how hypnosis can help. First, one of the causes of weight gain is too much sugar intake. Hypnosis suggestions can educate the subconscious mind that sugar is not that exciting. The result of reducing sugar intake based off the retrained mind is not only weight loss but also better sleep, better concentration, and overall quality of life.

Another common cause of weight gain is what we call "comfort eating".

How many times have you sat down, frustrated, mad, irritated, depressed, or lonely, finding yourself reaching for a bag of potato chips, a handful of cookies, that half-gallon of ice cream, or some other food to help ease the problem.

Comfort eating is a huge problem for many people and although you might tell yourself repeatedly that you will never turn to food for comfort, it becomes a repetitious problem. Again, hypnosis can be used to teach the subconscious mind ways of relaxing and gain power, and control over the situation so you do not have to turn to food.

With this, you will find that you lose weight and/or keep it off.

Just as you can use hypnosis to stop smoking or other unwanted behaviors, you can use hypnosis to lose weight. The goal is to teach the mind how to shift from one thought process to another.

Take fast food as a perfect example. Most fast foods are loaded with fat and high carbohydrates, which mean excessive calories and unwanted pounds. However, driving past the Taco Bell, Burger King, or McDonald's is impossible.

Now, what if you could use hypnosis to turn the fast food desires off? Well, you can and interestingly, it is not that difficult. With hypnosis, you can actually gain control over fast food impulses, choosing healthy and delicious food instead.

Probably one of the hardest foods to get over is chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. As mentioned earlier, some chocolate does not automatically mean weight gain. However, if you consume chocolate often, then you will likely have to battle the pounds.

Hypnosis can provide a much-needed boost to your subconscious mind that you have no interest in eating chocolate. Keep in mind that for some people chocolate is an addiction that comes with a strong desire. Again, hypnosis can help break that desire so you are not consumed by chocolate.

Now, just as you can use the benefits of hypnosis to curb food addictions and desires, you can also couple this with the benefit to exercise. Obviously, the key to losing exercise is not just cutting back on the amount and kinds of foods eaten but also exercise.

With exercise, you will lose weight, tone the body, and improve overall health. Exercise motivation is something commonly suggested with hypnosis, allowing you to get excited about running, walking, swimming, biking, and playing tennis, or whatever activity you enjoy.

Through hypnosis, you will find yourself looking forward every day to spending some time doing something good for your body. Soon, time at the gym will be the highlight of your day.

Hypnosis will boost your subconscious mind, giving it drive so that exercise becomes a favorite pastime. Very quickly, your entire outlook on life will change as you begin to eat healthier and exercise, watching the pounds melt away.

We can all do things to make life better. If you have goals and want to give yourself that special boost to accomplish them, then you should consider hypnosis. With this, you have a choice of working with a reputable and licensed hypnotherapist or hypnotist, or if you prefer, you can take a step to learn self- hypnosis.

The benefit of self-hypnosis is that you can use this tool anytime you want or need. Just remember, all the silly antics you might have seen associated with hypnosis are nothing but hype.

True hypnosis is a valuable tool, one that can help people with illnesses such as asthma, Fibromyalgia, and arthritis, encourage people to reach outside their comfort zone with public speeches, job promotions, or sports performance, or to overcome difficult obstacles that would include things like weight gain, smoking, nail biting, stuttering, and the list goes on.

You can take charge of your life today and make a difference by utilizing hypnosis