Hypnosis:

• Hypnosis: a trancelike state of heightened susceptibility to the suggestion of others

• Common misconceptions:

  • people do not lose all will when hypnotized

  • will not perform anti-social behaviors

  • will not carry out self-destructive acts

  • will not reveal hidden truths about themselves

  • you can lie under hypnosis

  • you cannot be hypnotized against your will

• Hollywood exaggerates on their portrayal of hypnosis (Get Out, Now You See Me, Donnie Darko)

• Actual uses of hypnosis:

  • relieves pain

  • helps with giving birth

  • helps with sleeping and relaxing

  • relieves anxiety

  • weight loss (pseudo psych?)

  • smoking (pseudo psych?)

  • helps with athletes

• Susceptibility to hypnosis:

  • 80% of people can be hypnotized

  • of those 80%, 40% are good hypnotic subjects

  • 15% are very easily hypnotized

  • 20% cannot be hypnotized

• Characteristics that make people more or less susceptible

  • high ability to concentrate and stay completely absorbed in what they’re doing

  • easily absorbed while reading books or listening to music

  • can easily block out distractions around you when you’re focused

  • spends a lot of time daydreaming

Meditation:

• Meditation: a series of mental exercises to refocus attention and achieve a trance-like state of consciousness

• Mantra: a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated to induce meditation or prayer

• Mindfulness Meditation: involves focusing on the present moment and letting other thoughts and distractions fade away

• Guided Visualization/Meditation: listen to and follow specific instructions during the session; visualizing self in favorite place (beach, forest, etc)

• Movement Meditation: walking, stretching, running, working, gardening, painting, cleaning, yoga

• Manta Meditation: normally involves the repetition of a mantra

  • sacred words or phrases to help focus the mind on achieving a state of relaxation

  • “peace”, “hope”, “calm”, “i am focused”, or “i am worthy”

  • Certain types of prayer can be forms of mantra meditation “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”, praying the rosary

• Potential uses and benefits of meditation

  • Physical benefits:

    • reduces stress and boosts immune system

    • reduces stress levels for cancer patients and contributes to lowering risk of reoccurrence

    • lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure

    • reduces the risk of heart disease and heart attacks

    • improves quality of sleep

    • increases melatonin levels

    • can help manage chronic pain

  • Mental benefits:

    • can slow the constant stream of thoughts going through our mind

    • reduces negative emotions

    • increases self awareness

    • reduces stress, anxiety, depression

    • decreases impulsivity and reactivity

    • improves creativity

  • Spiritual benefits:

    • experience more balance

    • inner calm and peace

    • increases feelings of compassion and belonging

    • develops inner “bliss”, not dependent on external factors

    • feeling more connected to a higher power