The way hypnosis is depicted in everyday life usually reduces it to a party trick. But could it be more than that? I am interested to know how we all can improve our intelligence, so I wanted to find out more about hypnosis.
Can hypnosis make you smarter? Yes, it can. There is evidence that shows learning while in a state of hypnosis is heightened, along with concentration and imagination. By accessing the deeper levels of your subconscious, you can increase your ability to learn, thus heightening your intelligence.
Sounds pretty neat, huh? Continue reading to take a closer look at hypnosis and the connection it may have with making you smarter, how that could possibly work, and what else hypnosis is commonly used for.
Now, I have personally never been hypnotized in the traditional sense, at least not yet. Perhaps someday I will try it, and if I do, I will surely write about it.
Can Hypnosis Make You Smarter?
Hypnosis is, without a doubt, one very debated topic.
You can find opinions on every side of the issue. Either you believe that hypnosis works, or you think it’s ridiculous. You consider it an amusing party game for magicians or support it as a recognized aid in the medical field.
Sometimes people can be hypnotized. Sometimes people cannot be hypnotized.
The fact of the matter is, there’s no definitive answer on the effectiveness of hypnosis. That being said – those that work and believe in hypnosis will tell you that it can absolutely make you smarter.
Hypnosis and the Subconscious Mind
Using hypnosis, it’s possible to access the subconscious mind. This is important because your subconscious is where everything is stored, where you draw information from. It stores your memories, including everything you’ve learned.
Hypnosis has shown promise in reducing stress and improving focus by taking away everything unnecessary to the task at hand. With better focus and concentration, you’re better able to learn new skills like math, languages, or even musical instruments.
There have been studies conducted with children who knew nothing about a certain subject. When they underwent hypnotherapy, they ended up showing a great understanding of the same subject they had no grasp on before. Sometimes, even more than their smartest peers.
It’s not going to make you a super genius overnight. But you already know that.
However, if you are hoping to bring up your scores in a certain subject or take on an entirely new skill, a state of hypnosis could help you out. With so many people that believe in it, you don’t have anything to lose in trying it out.
How on Earth Does Hypnosis Work?
Yet another topic for debate.
No one’s really sure exactly how hypnosis works. There are a few trains of thought that range from changing the way the halves of the brain interact to increasing blood flow to the brain. There’s no agreed-upon reason hypnosis does what it does.
The most prevalent theory has to do with the conscious and subconscious mind.
Your conscious or waking mind is what you deal with all the time. These are your active thoughts. It’s what makes you question and stress over even the smallest things. It’s the doubting Thomas in your head that has you second-guessing your instinct.
Your conscious mind is usually your worst enemy.
Your subconscious is where things are stored. It lies deep under the conscious brain and only comes out when you are incredibly relaxed or sleeping. Or, in this case, when you enter a state of hypnosis. There is no limit to how much information the subconscious can contain, which makes it the ideal access point for learning new things.
When you enter hypnosis, you’re working directly with your subconscious.
That means all the parts of your conscious mind that might get in the way of you learning or retaining information are put to the side, opening up great potential. It takes away any issues of confidence and all those normal distractions to help you focus on the task at hand.
When you take your surroundings out of the equation, imagine what you can accomplish. You don’t have to worry about those little annoyances when you’re trying to learn. Instead, your mind Is 100% focused on taking in this specific information so that it can be recalled later.
It’s pretty cool to think you can relax and learn all at the same time!
Can You Hypnotize Yourself?
There are a lot of people who perform hypnosis. They range from birthday party magicians to certified medical professionals. But is it possible for you to hypnotize yourself?
Believe it or not – yes!
You may have even hypnotized yourself before without even knowing it. Those times when you lose yourself for a few minutes are technically the same as undergoing hypnosis. Staring at a fire or driving for a long distance can hypnotize you, probably better than that guy with a pocket watch on tv.
Accidental hypnosis aside, there are ways to practice the real thing without employing the help of a professional.
Maybe you don’t have the time or the funds to go spend an afternoon getting hypnotized. Maybe you aren’t really sure if you believe it. Whatever the case, you can use pre-recorded hypnosis tracks or affirmations to guide yourself into a similar state.
If you’re new to the whole hypnosis thing, it’s probably best to go the pre-recorded route. Listening to someone else is a good way to disconnect from reality. Not everyone can remain focused all on their own.
There are a ton of options for guided hypnosis online. You can find recordings for free and ones that you have to pay for. Generally, you get what you pay for with this kind of thing.
You should also know that most of these self-guided hypnosis tracks are not created by a certified hypnotherapist. It’s worth looking into if you want the real deal at home. You should find yourself one that was created by someone who knows what they’re doing.
What Else Is Hypnosis Used For?
Hypnosis has been used for decades to aid in the recovery of many different disorders, many of which have to do with the mind.
It’s especially effective when used for ailments that are made worse by stress like anxiety, high blood pressure, and tension headaches. It has been used on anxieties for everything from public speaking to dental procedures in order to calm the mind.
Other Conditions Hypnosis is Used to Treat:
- Childbirth
- Chronic Pain
- Sleep Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Phobias
- Addictions
- Depression
- Weight Loss
Hypnosis is recognized as a valid form of treatment and is utilized by psychologists, doctors, dentists, and even chiropractors. Its public reputation may still be a far cry from making it seem legitimate.
The more studies that are done, over 14,000 and counting, the closer we get to understanding the mystery of hypnosis and the true impact it could have on the mind.
Unlock Your Mind with Hypnosis
No one fully understands the mysteries of hypnosis. While strides are taken every single day to figure it out, it remains to be one of those things that no one can seem to agree on one way or the other.
Hypnosis shows a lot of promise in the field of learning and intelligence. It opens up your brain and helps you access and retain information at a much deeper level. When it’s time to recall what you’ve learned, it all comes flooding to the surface for you to put down on paper.
And hey, if all else fails, you can always hypnotize yourself into thinking you’re smarter!
