January 4th marks a holiday dedicated to phychotechnology with a very controversial reputation, – World Hypnotism Day. It was first conducted by professionals working in this field in 2006 on the initiative of Tom Nicoli –, a certified hypnotherapist, writer, and teacher at the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) in the USA. And the purpose of establishing the Day was the desire to dispel the numerous misconceptions and myths that surround hypnosis and hypnotherapy, and to promote the benefits of their use.
Under hypnosis (from other Greek. ⁇ πνος «son») it is customary to understand the temporary state of a person, characterized by increased focus of attention and a decrease in peripheral consciousness, when a person is very susceptible to suggestion. This condition is caused by exposure to a hypnotist or targeted self-hypnosis. Moreover, the success of the «event» depends not only on the skills of the specialist, but also on the hypnobility of the subject/patient.
By the way, this technique itself has been known for a long time. Even in ancient times, hypnotic trances were used in many religious practices as a form of meditation, as well as – in medicine. It is believed that the terms «self-hypnosis» and «hypnosis» were coined by the Persian scientist Ibn Sina. The Austrian doctor Franz Mesmer, who created the theory of animal magnetism, used hypnotic effects as the basis of his technique. And his student – Armand de Puisegur – learned to immerse patients in a state reminiscent of deep sleep, in which he tried to find out what could have caused the disease with which they came. Hypnosis was often used as an alternative to drug anesthesia during surgical operations.
The term «hypnosis» itself, according to one version, was introduced by another student of Mesmer –, Etienne de Couviller, around 1820. According to another version, the authorship of the term is attributed to the English doctor James Braid. In his research, he showed that when a gaze is recorded on a shiny object, a person plunges into a special state of trance, which he called «hypnosis» in 1843.
Today, the scope of application of this technology is called hypnotherapy. It is used by doctors and psychologists in the treatment of various psychological and physical disorders – for example, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders, gambling addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, when combating smoking and excess weight.
But, unfortunately, there is another side to «medals». Many people are skeptical about the effectiveness and benefits of hypnotherapy, basing their opinions on misconceptions and «fearful tales formed in society that hypnosis is used by » to brainwash« and zombify humans.
Therefore, professional hypnotists and psychotherapists working with this technology have established today's date to once again emphasize that hypnosis has nothing to do with «total mind control», but is another way to help and treat people.
Currently, World Hypnosis Day is supported by various national and international professional communities, within the framework of which all kinds of thematic and educational events are held – lectures, seminars, webinars, free hypnosis sessions, screening of documentaries, etc., where everyone can learn more about hypnosis and hypnotherapy.