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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is a trance-like state in which you have heightened focus, concentration and inner absorption. When you're under hypnosis, you usually feel calm and relaxed, and you can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions.
Under hypnosis, you're more open than usual to suggestions, and this can be used to modify your perceptions, behavior, sensations and emotions. Therapeutic hypnosis is used to improve your health and well-being and is different from so-called stage hypnosis used by entertainers. Although you're more open to suggestion during therapeutic hypnosis, your free will remains intact and you don't lose control over your behavior.
- Information for the general public. American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Stewart JH. Hypnosis in contemporary medicine. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2005;80:511.
- Surman OS, et al. Hypnosis. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby/Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/165034062-3/0/1657/142.html?tocnode=5754. Accessed Oct. 15, 2009.
- Hypnosis today — Looking beyond the media portrayal. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/releases/hypnosis.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- New definition: Hypnosis. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30/define_hypnosis.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Hypnosis. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Hypnosis.asp. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Schnur JB, et al. Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: A meta-analysis. Contemporary Hypnosis. 2008;25:114.
- Martin DP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 1, 2009.
