As new research reveals that hypnosis can alter the human brain, David Thomas, of the Gloucester Citizen, tried out the effects for himself…

When I was given the task of being hypnotised, I was a touch nervous to say the least.

My only experience of the effects of hypnosis had been limited to the usual stage-shows put on for students, where the hypnotised “victims” are made to act like chickens on stage, or to embarrass themselves in countless other ways.

That certainly didn’t seem like anything I would like to undergo, and so it was with some caution that I arranged to meet with Mary Silmon, a psychotherapist, from Gloucester.

Mary informed me it would take two sessions to hypnotise me, the first one where we would simply talk in order for her to check I was suitable, and to check how my mind works.

After that session, all being well, I could return to actually undergo hypnosis.

During the first session, Mary put me completely at ease and talked about my family background, my working history and the way I think about things.

Now that information I’m afraid will be staying between Mary and myself!

However, Mary agreed for me to come back to undergo hypnosis in order to experience the sensation.

Hypnosis can be used to help people many things, including giving up smoking, to help cure phobias, to help in pain relief, or to just give a confidence boost.

After discussing it with Mary, I decided to just try for the confidence and energy boost effect, which would give me the experience, and should produce a positive effect.

To start the session, Mary got me to visualise a number of images, whilst talking to me constantly.

Then, after sitting back and closing my eyes, Mary continued to talk while music played in the background.

The first thing I noticed was that I always felt in control of the situation, there was never any sensation of being manipulated or controlled by Mary.

The other main sensation is one of heaviness, a leaden feeling in my limbs and my eyelids, and yet a heightened sense of hearing.

Cars moving in the street outside, birds singing and Mary’s voice were all extremely clear, whilst the images conjured up in my mind were also much sharper than normal.

After what seemed like ten minutes, Mary bought me out of the trance, and, to my amazement showed me the clock, which told me I had in fact been hypnotised for nearly 45 minutes.

It was a pleasant sensation, and I certainly felt more relaxed afterwards than when I had arrived for the session.

New research into hypnosis may have provided positive proof that the brain is altered whilst a patient is undergoing hypnotherapy, but I would not have needed to see it after trying it for myself.

As for the long term effects on my confidence and energy, we will have to wait and see.

However, I have been early for work on the two days since undergoing the treatment, so maybe it’s already taking effect.

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