What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis, meaning sleep in Greek, has also been addressed significantly in mythology. It was first used in the 18th century by a therapist named Anton Mesmer; toward the end of the 19th century, eye movements also began to be used by James Braid. The hypnosis technique, whose history dates back quite far, is one of the psychiatric methods frequently used today.
Hypnosis And Its Mechanism
In the hypnosis method; the person leaves their own control to the authority of the person who will apply hypnosis. Behavior control is provided at this point through 5 different mechanisms
- With the suggestion method
- With the application of mechanical force
- With the medication method
- With punishment and reward methods
- With the persuasion method

During the hypnosis process, the patient should not have an inquisitive and critical perspective. This situation may affect the success of the hypnosis method.
In the hypnosis method; there is a need for conditions such as selecting patients, the patient trusting their doctor, and being convinced of the hypnosis application to be established.
Whether the patient is suitable for the hypnosis method can be evaluated as follows;
- The patient keeps their head upright while looking straight ahead
- The patient looks upward (up-gaze)
- The patient closes their eyes while looking upward (roll)
- The patient looks straight ahead again
Types Of Hypnosis
Today, there are 5 types of hypnosis that are frequently used. These are collective hypnosis, social hypnosis, group hypnosis, self-hypnosis, and drug-assisted hypnosis. These types of hypnosis vary according to application areas, the person to be hypnotized, hypnosis duration and the condition of the individuals and the application area.
Group Hypnosis: It is the hypnotizing of more than one person by a single doctor in a suitable environment. The application of group hypnosis is quite difficult. The reason for this is that each person is hypnotized at different levels.
Drug-Assisted Hypnosis: In the drug-assisted hypnosis method, which is especially applied to people who cannot be hypnotized with the suggestion method, some medications are used in appropriate doses in order to break the person’s resistance to hypnosis.
Collective Hypnosis: It is the method applied by a hypnotist to a large number of people.
Self-Hypnosis: It is the person being able to become hypnotized without needing any hypnotist. This situation is also defined in some sources as road hypnosis. Due to fatigue and silence, some drivers may spontaneously enter road hypnosis.
Social Hypnosis: It is the type of hypnosis that emerges as a result of social control and pressure. Generally, community leaders are in the position of hypnotists, and people tend to give the same reaction to events and situations.
What Are The Harms Of Hypnosis?
Hypnosis should be performed by doctors who have received psychotherapy training and specialized in their field. Otherwise, it may have certain harms for people who undergo hypnosis. However, today, people without medical education also claim that they can perform hypnosis and may cause permanent damage in the people they apply it to. For this reason, the expertise of the person who will perform hypnosis must definitely be questioned with official documents.
The main negative conditions that hypnosis may cause in a person can be listed as follows;
- Blackout / dimming of vision
- Chronic headaches
- Dizziness
- Trance states
- Changes in perception
In addition to the above complaints, the effect created by hypnosis may also cause a kind of dependency if it is not applied correctly. So much so that the person’s character structure and behaviors play a determining role under the effect of hypnosis during the hypnosis process. Therefore, a hypnotherapist specialized in the field and medically trained takes the necessary precautions against the side effects hypnosis may create and to prevent the person from becoming dependent on the effect of hypnosis. Otherwise, the person may become alienated from themselves and experience identity confusion. In this case, instead of providing benefit, hypnosis may also cause irreversible damage.
Before applying hypnosis , all psychological conditions and behaviors of the person should be evaluated, and the degree of susceptibility to hypnosis should be determined. As a result of such an assessment, it is decided which type of hypnosis can be applied and how. It should not be forgotten that hypnosis is applied for the treatment of psychological disorders experienced. Therefore, experienced doctors who are specialists in their field must definitely be consulted.
How Long Does The Effect Of Hypnosis Last?
Hypnosis application is a method used in the treatment of psychological problems, in eliminating behavioral disorders such as stuttering and tics, in treating obesity or eating disorders, as well as to help overcome experienced traumas or to increase concentration in people with exam anxiety.
The hypnosis method is a therapy method that is frequently applied today and has seen quite important steps in the historical process. For this reason, before resorting to hypnosis application, in addition to questioning the expertise of the hypnotist, it is also evaluated whether the person is a suitable patient for hypnosis. In addition to all these, it is recommended to have detailed information about hypnosis and to conduct research. In which situations hypnotherapy is effective is also of great importance.

The main issues in which hypnosis is effective;
- Providing anger control
- Treatment of the problem of not being able to speak in public
- Treatment of difficulty in expression
- Treatment of the problem of having difficulty establishing a relationship with the opposite sex or not establishing one
- In eliminating lack of self-confidence
- It is effective in the treatment of situations of overreacting.
Many people wonder how long the effect of the hypnosis method will last. Although there are different opinions on this subject, the effect of hypnosis correctly applied by an experienced, medically trained doctor in the field continues for an unlimited period.
It is important that all necessary tests and examinations are performed before resorting to hypnosis application. Otherwise, dangerous results may also arise.
What is hypnotherapy You can watch our video about it.
Areas of Use of Hypnosis if you would like to get information about it; you can click the relevant link.