Hypnosis is a practitioner-based form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). Contrary to popular belief hypnosis is a mental state proven to have a profound affect on ones power of suggestion onto the subject. Similarly the mental state can be induced using hypnotic drugs. Hypnotherapy is occasionally used as forms of entertainment but has practical use in medicine as an alternative medicine. The mental state has been recently described as a fully awake and focusing state of attention with a lack of peripheral awareness. The false archetype being that hypnosis is like sleeping. Neurypnology is a book from 1893 in which author James Braid is the first to describe hypnotism. The history on hypnotism goes even further back, and has many folds and stories including recent experiments within the US CIA. Well known doctors and scientist have had portions of their work in hypnotism (i.e. Sigmund Freud).

Hypnotherapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders, posttraumatic stress, and surprisingly compulsive gaming. Licensed physicians and psychologists practice this form of therapy, but there are many books on the subject for individual study and application. Finally hypnosis is popularly depicted as a spinning black and white spiral or a pocket watch with repeated soothing monotones “You are getting sleepy.” Scientist have also discovered other ways to ignite the alpha and gamma waves in a persons mind with pure sound waves. The science has developed vastly and continues to grow as insurance carriers begin to broaden their packages, and for many the positive results are practically miraculous.

• “Hypnosis.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis>.