Does Hypnotherapy Really Work!

While it once existed to amuse sceptics, Hypnosis is gaining ground as a Sanctioned Treatment for multiple afflictions and addictions. But is it any more than a quack fix?

- Tom Ward

“You are feeling sleepy. Very, very sleepy.” No one, you will be relieved to hear, has whispered these words into my ear since I decided to give myself over to regular hypnosis some two months ago.

In fact, in many ways, the actual process of being hypnotised has been one of the most banal aspects of my journey. No one has swung a pocket watch before me, it has not been suggested that I start squawking like a chicken, and I’m yet to be invited to stare heavy-lidded into someone’s eyes.

But still, something has undoubtedly shifted inside my mind. And it is quite clear, to myself at least, that I’m no llonger the person I used to be.

Allow me to explain. Not so very long ago, live hypnotism shows were a popular way of escaping the rainy days in every town. Then, with the advent of budget short-haul flights and last-minute package deals, mesmerism as entertainment lost its lustre. Fast-forward a couple of decades, however, and hypnosis is back in the room – only this time it’s being taken seriously. 

Witnesses to the power of hypnosis are many. Kobe Bryant was routinely hypnotised before every match until his retirement, while Tiger Woods credited it with rediscovering his powers of concentration. Matt Damon recently admitted turning to hypnosis in order to kick a two-packs-a-day smoking habit.

At the less fabulous end of the social spectrum, London’s Harley Street houses a growing cabal of hypnotherapists, while hypnotherapy has become increasingly available to the UK’s National Health Service patients.