How does self-hypnosis work?

Self-hypnosis is a powerful tool for enhancing control over one's mind and body. It involves a state of highly focused attention, similar to becoming engrossed in a movie, where you enter the imagined world and forget your surroundings. This state allows you to temporarily suspend critical judgment and fully immerse yourself in the experience, which can be therapeutically beneficial. 1

Self-hypnosis facilitates cognitive flexibility, enabling you to shift perspectives and escape habitual judgments. It can be used to modify behaviors like smoking cessation, reduce stress, improve focus, and manage pain by influencing neuroplastic changes in the brain. This method activates a specific pattern of brain activity that favors both focus and relaxation, which is essential for neuroplasticity and overcoming psychological challenges. 2 3

While traditionally associated with stage hypnosis, which often involves making people act out unusual behaviors, self-hypnosis is deeply different. It's about gaining greater voluntary control rather than losing it—turning hypnosis into a significant therapeutic opportunity, as long as it is used correctly and responsibly. 1