Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration at one with a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion.

It is a non-addictive power for the good and is a natural manifestation of the mind at work.

Hypnosis has been in use for thousands of years. There is a great deal of evidence to support the belief that Hypnosis was being used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans - for therapeutic benefit - as far back as about the fourth Century BC.

Egyptians had very popular 'sleep temples' in which people were asked to lie down and listen to somebody chanting to help cure illness and problems as far back as 1550BC.

Hypnosis translated from Greek (Hypnos) means 'to sleep' and while in the state of hypnosis, a person is very, very relaxed.

While a person is in this more relaxed state, they find it easier to accept beneficial suggestions (e.g. "you are now a non-smoker").

"Research shows that there is more scientific evidence for Hypnotherapy than any other Complementary Therapy... by using hypnosis, people can perform prodigious feats of will-power and self-healing".
 
                                     The Health Education Authority

Stage hypnosis and misconceptions
It is unfortunate that most people's first encounter of hypnosis is through watching television and stage hypnotists at work. This can wrongly lead people to believe that they may be controlled or manipulated or made to do something silly.

NOTHING could be further from the truth.

At all times you remain in control and perfectly awake. Hypnosis for therapeutic purposes is just about relaxation. You may feel very heavy, relaxed, lethargic or quite light and tingly. It's just a wonderful, deeply pleasant and relaxing experience.

A good technical definition of hypnosis is: A state of relaxation and concentration at one with a heightened awareness induced by suggestion. The word hypnosis is derived from the Greek word 'hypnos' meaning 'to sleep', but is actually far from being asleep.

By the time the early users of hypnosis realised this and tried to change the name it had already stuck.