Hypnosis: what can it do to you? What are you able to get done?

Answer 1

First of all, there is little or no evidence that hypnosis works, at least not for the reasons we commonly think it does.

In hypnosis, you're put into a very relaxed state, some believe an altered state of consciousness. It's a state like daydreaming; it happens in nature. Hypnosis for entertainment purposes is fake, you don't cluck like a chicken if you don't want to. People are highly suggestible: if you're in front of an audience and 9 people around you are clucking, you're not going to reveal the hypnotist as a fraud. You cannot be "controlled" during hypnosis. You'll remember everything. We've all been in a hypnotic state before. We do it every day when we wake up and before we fall asleep. We do it while watching TV, reading a good book, etc.

As far as helping break habits, it's believed that hypnosis is simply the push some people need to gain confidence to break their own habits. You wouldn't be going to a hypnotist to quit smoking, for example, if you didn't want to quit in the first place. If you're in a relaxed state like those mentioned above, your concentration is increased and the memories will be better retained. You're less critical, more open to suggestion.

Hypnosis as a tool for recovering repressed events (sexual abuse, etc.) has been debunked and is no longer considered effective. It can even be dangerous. In a hypnotic, highly relaxed state, we are less constrained by social boundaries and we're more imaginative.

As to its uses, the Mayo Clinic site has a long list, along with a ton of information about how hypnosis works and is performed, myths, and what to expect.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypnosis/SA00084

Edited to include: The link that the previous poster gave you is from a woman who sells hypnosis tapes. She claims she can enlarge breasts and penises. Her product list is here:
http://www.wendi.com/html/product_list.html
Just wanted to let you know that she's got a motive.

Answer 2

Hypnosis - A relaxed, focused state of concentration.

We look at how and why medical doctors, dentists, therapists, and police investigators use this powerful tool to soothe pain, lose bad habits, reconstruct memories, and even solve crimes. Experts in hypnosis separate science fact from science fiction, answering questions.

You will get more explanation on Hypnosis & its use & side-effect at below mentioned link.
http://www.wendi.com/html/what_is_hypnosis.html