What is hypnotherapy, what happens during hypnosis and where has it been researched? Common myths, possible risks and what to know if you are considering it.
On a billboard on the city's main street, in large letters: "Quit smoking in a single session. Hypnotherapy." The same evening there is a stage show on television; audience members who go up on stage fall asleep at a word from the hypnotist, then believe they are a famous singer and grab the microphone. These two images largely shape our perception of hypnosis: on one side, the promise of an almost magical treatment; on the other, a mysterious power that takes away a person's will. So what really is hypnotherapy, what happens in the brain and mind during hypnosis, and what does science say about it? In this article we try to separate the facts about hypnosis from common myths, and explain the areas in which it has been researched and the situations that call for caution.
What Is Hypnotherapy? The Difference Between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is defined as a mental state in which attention is focused on a particular point, awareness of surrounding stimuli is reduced and the tendency to respond to suggestions is increased. This state is usually brought about through an introduction called an "induction", that is, instructions that direct the person's attention to a sound, an image or sensations in their body and encourage relaxation.
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis by a trained health professional as part of a particular treatment plan. There is an important distinction here: hypnosis is not a treatment in itself but a tool. What is done during hypnosis, for example suggestions aimed at the way pain is perceived, mentally rehearsing skills for coping with anxiety, or relaxation work, forms the actual content of the treatment. For this reason, in research hypnosis is often studied not on its own but as a component added to other approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
The history of hypnosis also explains this conceptual confusion. In the 18th century, Franz Anton Mesmer claimed to heal his patients with an invisible "animal magnetism"; this claim was examined by scientists of the time, who concluded that the effects stemmed not from magnetism but from imagination and expectation. In the 19th century, the Scottish physician James Braid popularised the term "hypnosis", drawing on the Greek word "hypnos", meaning sleep. Yet as far as we know today, hypnosis is not a state of sleep; even the term itself carries a misleading association.
Stage hypnosis is something entirely different. In these performances, people who respond very strongly to suggestion and are willing to take part on stage are selected; the audience's expectations and the social pressure of the stage also strongly influence behaviour. These shows are for entertainment and paint a misleading picture of how hypnosis is used in treatment.
What Really Happens During Hypnosis?
The experience of hypnosis is much more ordinary than many people imagine. Most of us experience similar states in everyday life: becoming absorbed in a gripping film or book and not hearing the sounds around us, driving along a road we take every day and not remembering how we got there, getting carried away by music and not noticing time passing. Hypnosis is a deliberate and guided form of this kind of intense focus.
During hypnosis, a person:
- Does not sleep. They are usually aware of what is happening, hear what is said and remember most of it afterwards.
- Does not lose control. They can reject a suggestion they do not want, open their eyes and end the process.
- May feel deep relaxation or inward focus; some people simply describe a state of comfortable rest.
Brain imaging studies show that during hypnosis there are changes in the activity of, and connections between, brain regions associated with attention, self-awareness and bodily perception. In addition, people's susceptibility to hypnosis, that is, the extent to which they respond to suggestion, varies markedly from person to person. Some people respond very strongly to hypnotic suggestions, while others experience almost no change. This susceptibility has nothing to do with intelligence or willpower.
In a clinical setting, a hypnosis session usually begins with a lengthy preliminary conversation. The practitioner assesses why the person has come, their health history and their expectations; explains what hypnosis is and is not and what will happen during the session; and obtains the person's consent. After the hypnosis part, the person's experience is discussed together. In other words, the answer to the question "What is hypnotherapy?" is not just the few minutes with eyes closed; what comes before and after those minutes is an inseparable part of the process too.
Common Myths About Hypnosis
Under the influence of popular culture, many false beliefs about hypnosis circulate. Let us look at the most common ones.
Myth: "A person under hypnosis will do anything, even what they don't want to." In reality, hypnosis does not make people act against their values and wishes. The behaviour seen in stage shows consists of roles played by willing participants under the influence of the social setting.
Myth: "Hypnosis lets you enter the subconscious and erase problems." Hypnosis is not a tool for finding and deleting a "recording" in the depths of the mind. Claims like this are attractive from a marketing point of view but have no scientific basis. We look at this topic separately in our article on subconscious clearing.
Myth: "Hypnosis brings forgotten memories back exactly as they happened." This is perhaps the most dangerous myth. Research shows that hypnosis can increase the number of memories recalled but does not increase their accuracy; on the contrary, it can raise a person's confidence in false memories. Events "remembered" under hypnosis through leading questions that in fact never happened can cause serious harm to a person's life and family relationships.
Myth: "You can go back to past lives." Practices marketed as past-life regression have no scientific basis. These experiences are explained as products of imagination, expectation and suggestion.
Myth: "Only weak-willed people can be hypnotised." Susceptibility to hypnosis is not a sign of weakness; it is a trait associated with the ability to focus intensely and use the imagination.
Myth: "You get a definite result in a single session." Hypnosis can have a rapid effect in some people; but lasting change usually comes through repeated work together with treatment components other than hypnosis.
Hypnosis is not a key that unlocks the doors of the mind; it is a state of mind in which attention is concentrated in one direction, with its own limits and possibilities.
What Is Hypnotherapy Used For? Where Has It Been Researched?
The clinical use of hypnosis has been researched for decades. The overall picture from this research can be summarised as follows:
- Pain management: There is evidence that hypnosis can be helpful, in addition to other treatments, in managing pain related to medical procedures and some chronic pain conditions.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Gut-directed hypnotherapy is among the relatively well-researched applications in this area, and it is reported that it can contribute to a reduction in symptoms in some patients.
- Pre-procedure anxiety: It can be used as a supportive method for reducing anxiety experienced before dental treatment or surgical procedures.
- Alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Some studies suggest that adding hypnosis to CBT may contribute to outcomes in certain situations.
- Quitting smoking and losing weight: The results of research in these areas are inconsistent; hypnosis has not been shown to be clearly more effective than other methods. We look at the psychological aspects of the quitting process in our article on quitting smoking.
This picture shows that hypnosis can be a valuable auxiliary tool in some areas, but that it is not the first-choice treatment, nor sufficient on its own, for conditions such as depression, serious anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress or psychotic disorders.
Risks: Who Might It Not Be Suitable For?
Hypnosis carried out by a trained professional is generally considered safe. Even so, there are some risks and situations that call for care:
- False memories: Practices aimed at "recovering memories" from the past in particular can pave the way for memories that are not real.
- A history of psychotic or dissociative disorders: In people who have had periods in which their connection with reality weakened, or who have intense experiences of detachment, hypnosis can increase symptoms; it is not recommended in these cases.
- People with experience of trauma: Unstructured hypnosis work can confront a person with emotions and memories at an intensity they cannot cope with.
- Temporary side effects: Some people may experience a headache, dizziness or brief anxiety after a session.
- Delaying necessary treatment: Postponing treatments of proven effectiveness in the belief that hypnosis alone will be the answer is perhaps the most common risk.
Say you are a father who has smoked for fifteen years and, at your child's insistence, you have decided to quit. You go to a "hypnotherapy centre", pay a hefty fee and believe you have quit after a single session. Three weeks later you have a hard day at work and light up again. It is easy to think, "I'm someone who can resist even hypnosis; it's hopeless for me." Yet quitting smoking is a process that involves recognising triggers, coping with moments of craving and, if needed, medical support; a failure with a single intervention is not a verdict on you.
Hypnosis in Turkey: Who Should You Seek It From?
In Turkey, hypnosis is among the practices regulated under the Regulation on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices (Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp Uygulamaları Yönetmeliği). Who may practise hypnosis, with what training and under what conditions is determined by this legislation. For this reason, if you are considering hypnosis, it is your right to ask about the practitioner's core profession and their authorisation certificate in this area.
In addition, there are some signs to watch out for:
- Be aware that "hypnotherapist" certificates obtained through short courses do not amount to authorisation in the health field.
- Be wary of promises such as "a definite result in a single session", "reprogram your subconscious" or "discover your past life".
- If you have a mental health problem, ask whether the practitioner can assess this problem and whether they will refer you to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist when needed.
- Do not stop a treatment or medication you are on by yourself on the advice of a hypnosis practitioner.
In Turkey, hypnosis having become an object of spectacle through television programmes and social media also makes it harder for it to be seen as a serious component of treatment. For this reason, it is important to gather information calmly before deciding on any practice.
How Are These Problems Addressed in Therapy?
People interested in hypnotherapy often come with real problems such as anxiety, insomnia, bad habits, the burden of the past or unexplained physical complaints. For each of these problems there are psychotherapy approaches supported by research.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an approach whose effectiveness is well established for many types of anxiety and depression. In this work, the person notices the thought and behaviour patterns that maintain their problems and learns to change them step by step. Skills that share some features with hypnosis, such as relaxation exercises, breathing work and visualisation techniques, can also be part of therapy; but they are taught not as a mysterious intervention, but as skills the client can also practise on their own.
In addressing traumatic experiences, methods supported by research for post-traumatic stress, such as trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, are used. You can read about how these methods differ from hypnosis in our article what is EMDR. This kind of work, planned according to the client's needs, can be carried out within individual therapy.
When Should You Seek Professional Support?
In the following situations, it is advisable to see a mental health professional rather than turning to practices that promise quick fixes:
- If anxiety, fear or unhappiness has lasted for weeks and is affecting your daily life,
- If your sleep problems have been going on for a long time,
- If a traumatic event you experienced in the past is markedly affecting your present,
- If after a hypnosis session your sleep has been disrupted, you are experiencing intense anxiety, or "memories" you did not recall before and that shake you have surfaced.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, call 112 (emergency services) without delay or go to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can everyone be hypnotised?
Susceptibility to hypnosis varies greatly from person to person. Some people respond very strongly to suggestion, while others experience very little effect. This susceptibility has nothing to do with intelligence, willpower or weakness of character.
Will I reveal my secrets against my will under hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis is not a "truth serum" that removes a person's will. During hypnosis, too, you decide what to share and what not to share, and you can stop the process whenever you wish.
Are hypnotherapy and EMDR the same thing?
No. EMDR is a method developed for post-traumatic stress, applied according to a specific protocol and supported by research; the person is fully awake and aware throughout the process. Hypnosis, by contrast, relies on using a state of mind in which attention is concentrated together with suggestions.
Can I hypnotise myself?
Practices known as self-hypnosis are in fact similar to relaxation and visualisation exercises and can be calming for some people. However, if you have a mental health problem, it is important not to use such practices in place of an assessment by a professional.
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Eda Erkan Alapala
Klinik Psikolog. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Klinik Psikoloji Tezli Yüksek Lisans mezunu; bilişsel davranışçı terapi, çocuk merkezli oyun terapisi ve çocuk-ergen psikoterapisi alanlarında eğitimlerini tamamlamıştır.
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