Hypnosis is a trance like state that is like a deep sleep in which a person's action may be controlled by someone else, a hypnotist. A hypnotist with a limited knowledge on physiology and psychology may unintentionally harm the subject. In a hypnotic state, normal consciousness undergoes a strange change. It is believed that, the conscious part of the mind recedes and a kind of automatic response system takes over.

Hypnosis can produce different outcomes like:

• The subject may become cataleptic; a condition where the muscles are stiff, and the subject is able to remain in one position for a long period of time.
• Hallucination is another result of hypnosis. The hypnotist may suggest to the subject that, for example, his or her hand is body is floating, and the subject may experience sensation.

Uses of Hypnotism

• Hypnotherapy (treatment by hypnosis) this is done with the subject ability to follow suggestions. An example is, hypnosis can be used to control pain, the hypnotist will suggests to the subject that he or she will experience a loss of sensation in part of the body. This technique can make possible things like painless surgery, dental procedure or even childbirth without the use of drugs or anesthesia.

• Hypnosis is also used to help subject overcome bad habits like smoking, alcoholism and even nail biting. This result is often achieved through posthypnotic suggestion (a suggestion made during hypnosis for the subject to carry out later).

• Hypnotic Regression is used to treat emotionally and mentally confused subjects. In this procedure the subject is led to remember past event and feelings with the hypnotist and may discover the cause for his or her current condition. However not all professional hypnotist believes that those hidden or recovered memories accurately represent exactly what causes the current condition of the subject.
• Hypnosis is commonly used to help the patient or subject to reduce stress, deal with anxiety or reduce chronic pain. In some subjects, symptoms of hysteria (wild uncontrollable panic or excitement) such as hysterical paralysis and deafness have also been eliminated through hypnosis.