Hypnosurgery Live

The difference between medical and stage hypnosis

Unlike stage hypnotism, in which the hypnotist appears to take control of the subject, the use of hypnotism in medicine is concerned with giving more control to the subject. The hypnotist's role is to encourage relaxation and by suggestion, help patients control the autonomic – or subconscious – mechanisms in their own bodies.

Although the mechanisms at work during hypnosis are not fully understood, scientists at Birmingham University have demonstrated, using brain scans, that hypnotic suggestion produces real changes in brain activity.

Advocates believe surgery under hypnosis has several benefits. They believe it can:
- reduce blood loss, post-operative nausea and vomiting
- offer an alternative for people allergic to or too frail for traditional anaesthesia
- decrease medical related anxiety problems during the procedure
- actively speed up recovery time.

Suggestions throughout the operation can give the patient added comfort in case any problems arise.