Is Hypnosis Safe for Everyone?
As people dive into hypnosis for the first time, many find themselves asking the same question:
"Is it safe? For my child, for my parents, and for me? What about for someone who’s
diagnosed with depression, insomnia, a psychiatric disorder, or recovering from surgery?
We’ll answer all these questions in this post.
In short, hypnosis is an extremely safe practice for most people, as long as it’s done responsibly. This means:
Only engaging in hypnosis with a clinically-trained and reputable professional, like Dr. David Spiegel.
Avoiding participating in stage hypnosis if you have any concerns about it.
Stopping and talking to your physician if you notice any negative effects of hypnosis.
Using Reveri is a safe and responsible hypnosis method, as all our Practices are based on Dr. David Spiegel’s research. All Reveri exercises — both Practices and Moments — are created by Dr. Spiegel himself. We do our best to make the Reveri experience like being in a 1:1 hypnosis session with him!
When one of our members asked Dr. Spiegel if it was safe for their young child to undergo hypnosis with Reveri, he responded:
“Hypnosis is really a naturally occuring state of absorption, so anyone with hypnotic ability can and may enter a self-hypnotic state on their own. Occasionally people find the experience very strong or emotional, but they have control over ending the state.”
“Please let us know if something happens that is upsetting, but I have found it helpful and not hurtful for many thousands of patients and research subjects.”
Anecdotally, the belief that hypnosis is unsafe stems from a misconception that it’s a form of mind-control or brainwashing. This idea tends to come from stage hypnosis spectacles. It is important to note that stage hypnosis is not clinical hypnosis; it is meant to be a form of entertainment, and research shows risks are twice as likely to occur in stage hypnosis.
Particularly because hypnosis is drug-free, it is much safer and better for one’s health as compared to medications. It’s also a wonderful complementary approach to many medical and psychological needs. Hypnosis uses the power of the mind to achieve remarkable results, like reducing perception of pain, relieving stress and anxiety, and helping people fall asleep quickly and naturally. It’s also a common and effective solution for smoking cessation.
People who are diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, especially dissociative, psychotic, schizoaffective, or neurological disorders like seizures, should consult their physicians before engaging in hypnosis. This is because hypnosis is a psychological technique.
Dr. Spiegel reminds us that the powers of the mind are vast, and everybody is different. If you notice adverse effects of hypnosis or any other practice you engage in, stop and consult your physician.
We always welcome questions from our members and we will pose your question to Dr. Spiegel when necessary, so you get his expert opinion.
The bottom line
Hypnosis is one of the safest techniques available to people of all ages to address a number of common challenges. Safety, responsibility, and integrity are some of our topmost priorities at Reveri.
Contact us: support@reveri.com
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Many Reveri members experience the benefits of self-hypnosis after a single 10-minute session.