Similarly, when we wake up and aren’t fully aware of our surroundings, we are in a natural hypnotic state. This is when the control is gradually returning to the conscious mind.

Often, we are so absorbed in watching TV that we are unaware of our surroundings and our responses are totally with the programme, this too is a state when the mind is under hypnosis.

Thus, hypnosis is nothing esoteric, but a state that occurs naturally many times a day—a time when our mind is narrowly focused on a single stimulus such that all the other stimuli fade off. Our minds are, therefore, accustomed to it.

In clinical hypnotherapy, the hypnotherapist inducts the subject into a hypnotic trance with the help of suggestions. Under trance, the frequency of our mind increases from beta to alpha, theta, delta and even deeper states.

In the state of consciousness, logical and analytical thinking is muted. The vibration increases and you get connected with your sub-conscious memories, which resonate at these higher frequencies—depths of your mind that are essential to reach for therapeutic results.

Research shows that the conscious mind accepts signals up to 16 bits per second, whereas, the sub-conscious receives 11 million bits per second.

Hence, a hypnotic trance is an opportune condition to look for the source of problems in the sub-conscious and clear negative emotions attached to them such as fears, phobias and other emotions that disrupt your life. Thus, in many ways, hypnotherapy is like meditation.

However, people are scared of trying out hypnotherapy as they don’t know what it really is. They have false ideas about it in their mind that inhibit them from taking advantage of hypnotherapy, which can be life-transforming. Here, I’d like to discuss some of the common misconceptions I have encountered as a qualified hypnotherapist.

11 Myths about hypnotherapy

1. Hypnosis can be forced on a person or cast like a spell against her will

No one can be hypnotised or made to follow any suggestion that contradicts with the person’s values in any way against her will. A client relaxes herself with the help of the therapist’s suggestions.

The therapist does not do it alone, but you do it yourself by co-operating with the therapist. A therapist merely navigates you through a hypnotic trance through guided imagery, trance music and direct or indirect suggestions.

You are expected to have complete faith in the therapy and the therapist to allow a relaxed state to build and follow suggestions. Resistance caused due to wrong notions, doubts, fears, challenges, conscious analysis, sub-conscious triggers and apprehensions, inhibit the trance state from being induced.

Discussing the myths and fears with the therapist during the consultation, prior to the therapy session, helps eliminate them.

2. Hypnotherapy is unsafe and can harm a person’s mind. A hypnotherapist can brainwash anyone

Hypnotherapy is totally harmless. It is not the same as brainwashing or mind control, which are done without consent. It is a therapeutic technique, which allows removal of negativity in a safe manner.

When your sub-conscious mind is being addressed and the source of the problem rooted there is being traced, a fair amount of control is with your conscious mind as well. The analytical part of your conscious mind still allows you to think and judge.

Therefore, you are still in-charge of yourself and your abilities. Your secrets can never be probed into against your desire. Your mind is wakeful and alert enough not to receive and act on any suggestion that doesn’t agree with you. At any stage of the session, you are so much in control that you can interrupt the session if required and return home.

3. You are forced to sit in one position for long, so you feel tired later

In deep hypnosis, your body goes limp, loose and numb. You are so relaxed [just like in sleep] that you lose the desire to toss and turn.

However, whenever necessary, the therapist gives a suggestion to move and turn to maintain the level of consciousness you have achieved. With another appropriate suggestion, you can even drink water or answer a nature’s call.

As for feeling tired, the moment your mind rises beyond the beta state, it starts relaxing and your body feels energised. Some people even feel euphoric after a session.

4. Hypnosis is an occult and esoteric art. It has no scientific basis

Hypnosis is neither a supernatural nor a magical art. It neither falls under any esoteric and occult phenomena nor does it make you follow religious, spiritual or any other belief systems or doctrine.

It is a therapeutic tool recognised and approved by The British Medical Association, The American Medical Association, and courts of law in India and abroad.

5. The trance is induced with the help of medication

Consciousness is altered with the help of guided imagery, direct and indirect suggestions or trance music like isochronic and binaural sounds, chants and mantras. These methods increase the frequency of the mind, taking it beyond beta into alpha, theta, delta or even deeper states.

There is no need of using medication. Drugs are used in narco tests/narcosynthesis/narcoanalysis to bypass conscious resistance and unwillingness of the person. This technique does not fall under the category of a therapeutic procedure and instead is considered an illegal torture.

6. A person can get stuck in a hypnotic state

To reiterate, under hypnosis you are consciously alert to a great degree and can enter or exit the hypnotic state any time you desire and allow yourself to be guided through it. A human mind, in any case, is accustomed to naturally going in and coming out of a trance.

Therefore, you cannot get stuck or lose your mind in hypnosis at any stage. Throughout the session, you are in conversation with the therapist and not left on your own. After the session, you have complete recall of the experiences you had during hypnosis.

7. Hypnotherapy can only help cure mental illness

The root cause of every physical, mental or emotional problem is in the sub-conscious or super-conscious mind. With the help of hypnotherapy, a therapist is able to help a client tap into these areas and address the condition completely and successfully.

Hypnotherapy can successfully address and eliminate physical ailments as well. Many well-known medical practitioners are even using it to cure acute and chronic ailments.

8. Hypnotherapy helps dull the effect of pain but doesn’t cure anything

Hypnotherapy not only addresses pain, but also eliminates the problem. It allows access to that area in the mind where all types of conditions are rooted.

Thus, with the help of this therapeutic modality, one can successfully address and eliminate the cause and its manifested physical, mental and emotional effect and not just the pain alone.

9. Only chronic cases require hypnotherapy

The words acute and chronic merely indicate passage of time. Irrespective of how much time the illness has prevailed, it still has its roots in the same place—the sub-conscious. And that’s where hypnotherapy helps you reach. In fact, if you try hypnotherapy when the problem is acute, you’ll be free of it soon.

10. Hypnosis should not be used in cases of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia

Like in other conditions, the root cause of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorders also lies in the person’s mind. These conditions manifest due to certain causes in the sub-conscious as well as the super-conscious zones.

Medicines are unable to reach these places and only keep the symptoms suppressed. With the help of hypnotherapy and its applied branches, a therapist is able to even tap these areas and release the causes.

Hypnotherapy has been successfully used in treating schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, manic depression and multiple personality syndrome.

11. In a hypnotic state, you become unconscious

In hypnosis, your awareness gets heightened. Since your conscious mind is still wakeful, you are alert and conscious throughout the hypnotic state, and not asleep or unconscious. You are fully conscious of your self, your surroundings and are oriented to people, place and time.

Hypnotherapy has been successful in almost all areas of physical, mental and emotional conditions the world over. It takes into its fold the body and mind of a person and much more.

It is complete in all ways as it goes into the areas of the person’s zone no medical doctor would even consider looking into—the conscious, sub-conscious as well as the super-conscious mind. Now that you know facts about it, approach it with an open mind.

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This is what aromas can do to us. Aromatherapy harnesses this effect of aromas on our body to heal it.

It uses the aromas of essential oils that are extracted from the various parts of a plant—flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, bark or roots, for the same.

Aromatherapy is particularly effective for problems that require soothing the nerves and clearing the blocked passages that cause discomfort and pain.

It helps in relieving insomnia, headache, body pain, tiredness, depression, stress, tension and the likes. Here we list some common ailments and aromas oils that can help ease them.

Migraines, headaches

In a migraine/headache, the blood vessels of the brain dilate or contract a lot causing throbbing pain in the ear and around the temples.

Oils that help: Chamomile, lavender and marjoram.

What to do: Add a few drops of any of the above essential oils to a hot towel and place it on the head [make a compress].

You can also soak yourself for 10 – 15 minutes in warm water to which 10 drops of the oil have been added. Avoid massaging the oil into your head during a migraine as it increases the discomfort instead of easing it.

Sinusitis

In a sinus attack, the passages around the nose get swollen. You feel stuffy, have congestion and experience inflammation of the area around the eyes.

Oils that help: Eucalyptus and peppermint. Eucalyptus oil has antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and analgesic properties. Peppermint too has these properties and is also good for inflammation.

What to do: Add the essential oil to boiling water and inhale the steam; it helps clear congested sinuses and also eases associated headaches.

However, don’t use too many drops or inhale the steam for more than 15 minutes as in both cases the oil loses its effectiveness. People with congestive heart failure, epilepsy, pregnant women and children should not opt for steam inhalation.

Acidity [heartburn]

Over-production of acid by gastric glands in the stomach leads to acidity. Acidity causes burning sensation in the chest, sour acid reflux, dyspepsia and peptic ulcers.

Oils that help: Black pepper, peppermint, sandalwood.

What to do: Inhale the aroma of these oils or use them with the help of a compress.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis presents itself with red areas or scales on the elbows, knees, arms, scalp, ears, legs and back. There is a strong mental component to the cause of psoriasis.

Oils that help: Bergamot, cedarwood, geranium.

What to do: Mix a few drops of any of these oils with a carrier oil and massage the affected area of the skin. Alternately, you may also add the essential oil and carrier oil mix to your bath and soak in it for 15 minutes.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an acute disorder of the joints. It is characterised by inflammation and pain in the joints.

Oils that help: Roman chamomile, juniper, camphor, caraway, lemon, sage and thyme. Each of these oils has effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

What to do: Add a few drops to a carrier oil like pomegranate seed oil, hemp seed oil, emu oil and jojoba oil [all these have anti-inflammatory properties as well] and gently massage into arthritic joints using a small amount of the mixture.

However, if your doctor has specifically prohibited massage for you, soak the joint in water mixed with the oil instead.

Painful periods

Menstrual period can cause dull stomach or backache or even severe cramps. Irritability and mood swings can worsen the condition.

Oils that help: Cajuput, sage, aniseed, Roman chamomile, cypress, juniper, marjoram, melissa, peppermint and rosemary. These oils have antispasmodic properties; they also calm the nerves and relax the muscles, making you feel drowsy.

What to do: Mix any of these oils with carrier oil used as gel or lotion and gently massage the abdomen. It helps release pain and tension from the lower belly. The same oils can be added to a warm, relaxing bath after mixing with a carrier oil.

Premenstrual syndrome [PMS]

Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] begins during ovulation [say 5 – 11 days before menstruation] and stops with the beginning of menstruation. It affects a woman’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Oils that help: Clarysage, Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, melissa, rose and neroli.

What to do: Gently massage the abdominal area with any of these oils mixed with a carrier oil. You can even have a warm relaxing bath adding the essential oil to the water mixed with a carrier oil.

Asthma

Asthma is a disorder of the bronchial passage and the lungs, making breathing difficult.

Oils that help: Basil, cajuput, lemon, sage, thyme, eucalyptus, aniseed, cypress, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, melissa, peppermint, pine, rosemary, clove, origanum, geranium, German chamomile and frankincense.

German chamomile prevents the release of histamine as it contains chamazulene. Frankincense, marjoram and rose facilitate deep breathing, helping expand the lungs. Relaxants such as chamomile, rose, geranium, lavender and marjoram help in reducing bronchial spasms.

What to do: Aromatherapy is best recommended in-between asthma attacks. Use peppermint and ginger oils as chest rub as they have de-congestive properties. Apply these to the chest for six months using upward strokes.

During an asthma attack, inhale lavender steam. Lavender helps relax the lung spasms as the steam opens the air passages.

This arrests the attack right in the track, reducing its severity. Lavender also relaxes the mind, helping dissipate the panic you feel when you can’t catch your breath.

If steaming makes breathing more difficult, use an aromatherapy diffuser or humidifier to inhale the vapours. You may also rub your feet with the oil. Avoid essential oils, if fragrances are a trigger.

Remember: Avoid eucalyptus oil during attacks.

Colitis

Colitis or ulcerative colitis results in bloody diarrhoea, pain, gas, bloating and hard stools.

Oils that help: Cajuput, lemon grass, tea tree, lavender, rosemary, patchouli and peppermint.

What to do: Use these oils as a compress, gel or lotion on stomach by mixing with carrier oil. Peppermint and patchouli are specifically more effective in colitis.

Piles

Piles is a painful condition where blood vessels, mainly veins around the rectum or anus, get abnormally enlarged and dilated.

Oils that help: Cypress, juniper, frankincense and myrrh.

What to do: Use these oils as a gel or add them to bath after mixing with carrier oil. Blend four drops of cypress to 5ml [a teaspoon] of grapeseed base oil and add this to bath water.

Liver problems

Abnormalities of the liver can seriously hamper your health. When the liver is affected with cirrhosis, it becomes leathery and loses its capacity to function and even regenerate.

Oils that help: Lemon, peppermint, rosemary and juniper.

What to do: Mix a few drops of any of these oils with a carrier oil and use as a gel or a lotion.

Kidney stones

Stones in the kidney is an extremely painful condition caused due to build up of minerals in the kidney.

Oils that help: Lemon, fennel, geranium, ammi visnaga and hyssop.

These oils have relaxing, analgesic and diuretic properties. Ammi visnaga oil is specifically recommended for kidney stones, as it is lithotriptic—it can dissolve bladder and kidney stones. It also has broncho-dilatory properties.

What to do: These should be used as gel or lotion by combining a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil. The ammi visnaga oil can be inhaled or even taken internally.

Depression / anxiety / nervousness

Disturbances of the mind are caused by hormonal or situational factors.

Oils that help: Basil, bergamot, clarysage, thyme, Roman chamomile, camphor, geranium, lavender, frankincense, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli and sandalwood.

What to do: Add any of these to your bath after mixing with a carrier oil or use as gel/lotion. You can even inhale the vapours.

Remember…

• Always dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil and never apply directly to the skin or consume orally.
• Read the instructions on the bottle before using or selecting these oils as some oils can be exciting while others sedative. Wrong selection/use may lead to complications.
• Some oils can cause problems when exposed to sunlight and also irritate the skin if the dosage is incorrect.
• Some oils need to be stored in dark coloured bottles as they lose their properties when exposed to direct light.
• Always store oils in an aluminum or glass bottle with dropper but never in plastic as the plastic reacts with the oil.
• Essential oils are highly inflammable; do not use them near fire or to burn candles.
• These oils are concentrated and hence costly. Use them judiciously and always start with a small dosage.

Carrier oils

Carrier oils are safe to use directly on the skin. They too have their own therapeutic properties. For instance, sweet almond oil provides relief from dryness, soreness, itching and inflammation.

It helps soothe wrinkled and dry hands. It is the best oil to use for babies. Oils of grapeseed, coconut, peanut, sesame, sunflower, olive, walnut, wheat germ, hazelnut, jojoba, carrot, corn and castor are commonly used carrier oils.

The rule of thumb to follow when mixing an essential oil with a carrier oil is that for those from 12 – 60 years is 1 – 3 drops of essential oil in 1tsp or 5ml carrier oil for a facial massage; 5 – 10 drops of essential oil in 3tsp or 15ml carrier oil for a general massage; up to 20 drops [20 is the maximum limit] of essential oil in 2tsp or 10 ml carrier oil to apply locally; and maximum 10 drops of essential oil in a bowl or a bath.

Halve the dose for children between six and 12 years of age. And those above 60 years of age should add 1 – 6 drops of essential oil in 2tsp or 10ml carrier oil. This ratio also applies to children between four and six years of age.

For kids between one to four years of age, mix 1 – 3 drops of an essential oil in 2tsp or 10ml carrier oil and for babies under one year, mix one drop essential oil in 2 tsp or 10 ml almond oil.

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