A current wellness topic that has peaked my interest thought the
natural and applied sciences lens is how our cell phones have evolved
so much (technology wise- not size) that it allows us to count our
steps, track our calories and map our walks or runs to help improve
our physical health. Growing up, I remember not going on the
internet because it cost money or not being able to have access to
these apps to help me and other lose weight and stay healthy. The
value of this lens helps me be able to understand how the technology
helps make my life easier. I can not imagine trying to carry around
multiple different technologies in order to achieve my ideal health
and keep myself on track.
I want to look at hypnotherapy through the natural science lens.
Hypnosis can be traced back over 3,000 years, but it wasn't until the
17th Century and the arrival of Franz Mesmer that it gained
widespread interest as a treatment. Mesmerism, as it became known,
was later debunked, and Mesmer denounced as a fraud (Thomson,
2019). I was always skeptical about the benefits of hypnoses; I tried
some sessions many years ago for fear of driving. Nothing happened.
I did not go under, so no advantage was gained. I think I experienced
a bias stemming from the plethora of TV hypnotists and self-help
books claiming that hypnosis is a cure for every ill. Ridiculous stage
acts where people eat revolting foods or cluck like a chicken on
command didn't help.
I did not try again until a few months ago. After moving back to the
U.K., I had problems passing the U.K. driving test (roundabouts.. big
phobia). So I thought I would give hypnosis another try. The session
was over Zoom, and I remember the beginning. After that, nothing
until the end when I woke on her command. Was I hypnotised, or did
I fall asleep? If I fell asleep, why did I wake up on cue when she
started counting backward from 10? I have mixed feelings; I'm still
not too fond of roundabouts, but I've become brave enough to apply
for my test on August 18th.. What happened in that hour?
David Spiegel, M.D., a professor of psychiatry and medical director
of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School
of Medicine in California, says that hypnosis is a "form of highly
focused attention, like getting so caught up in a good movie that you
enter the imagined world—you become part of the story instead of
part of the audience." He continues, "In this state, you can learn to
control your physical reaction to stressors, allowing you to approach
even difficult problems with less discomfort." (Savacool, 2022)
Eric Willmarth, Ph.D., president of the American Psychological
Association's Society of Psychological Hypnosis and a psychologist in
Grand Rapids, Michigan, says hypnosis is "... about self-regulation,
and helping people learn to manage their own physiology." (Savacool,
2022).
Like many other alternative medical fields, hypnosis has its
detractors. Some doctors and scientists see it as providing nothing
more than a placebo. Others say hypnosis has dangerous side effects,
especially for people with mental illness. Nevertheless, there is
undoubtedly some medical benefit from hypnosis. Even if for deep
relaxation, which is essential for wellness but I'm still not sure, what
do you think?
Savacool, J., (2022) Hypnotherapy Benefits Are Real—but What Is This
Ancient Technique,
Exactly, and Should You Try It? Retrieved July 25th, 2022
https://parade.com/1138441/julia-savacool/hypnotherapy-benefits/
Thomson, H. (2019). What hypnosis does to your brain, and how it can
improve your
health. New Scientist. Retrieved July 25th 2022
from https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24432550-600-
what-hypnosis-does-to-your-brain-and-how-it-can-improve-your-
health/
