There is a great deal of controversy surrounding hypnosis. Many critics believe that hypnosis is a form of mind control but a large number of doctors claim that hypnosis has beneficial medical applications. Despite the debate, there are a variety of hypnosis techniques that are used on a regular basis to achieve many things. From medical treatment to entertainment, hypnosis has a variety of uses and the science of hypnosis is becoming more developed every day.

Hypnotherapy

The various hypnosis techniques which are utilized to change behaviors are often referred to as hypnotherapy. Hypnosis has been studied in many clinical trials for its effectiveness as a method of pain management, weight loss, and habit control. It has also been used as a means of treating skin disease, for soothing anxiety, and for enhancing sports performance. Individuals have even been known to utilize self-hypnosis as a means to quit smoking.

Medical Hypnosis

There are many hypnosis techniques which have been adapted to the world of medicine. Two out of three studies showed encouraging results in favor of hypnosis as an effective means of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Relaxation techniques and forms of suggestion have also been used to decrease the pain of child birth, a technique which is sometimes called Hypnobirthing. Pain management and weight loss are also effective medical applications of hypnosis. In 1996, the National Institutes of Health remarked that hypnosis was an effective means of reducing the pain of cancer patients as well as for the management of nausea. Hypnosis has also been a useful tool in weight loss studies, combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Erotic Hypnosis

While it may not be as highly spoken-of as hypnotherapy and medical applications of hypnosis, erotic hypnosis is a legitimate form of hypnosis. Often used by individuals in a dominance/submission-type relationship, erotic hypnosis can be used to reduce inhibitions and increase arousal, thus increasing sexual pleasure. This type of hypnosis is also utilized by individuals who use fantasies as a form of personality transformation, using hypnosis as a means to be freed of their inhibitions.

Stage Hypnosis

Hypnosis has become a very popular form of entertainment in which a performer, the hypnotist, uses hypnosis techniques to influence the thoughts and actions of compliant members of the audience. Performers often utilize preliminary suggestion tests to pick out the members of the audience who are most extroverted and most suggestible, then through a variety of hypnosis techniques they use these individuals to put on a show for the rest of the audience.