This ability to block a natural response through intense concentration makes hypnotism a good pain reliever for dental surgery and painful medical experiences. Hypnosis can block pain even under very dramatic circumstances such as open heart surgery. However, hypnosis is not a cure-all. It does not eliminate all behavior problems or addictive disorders. It cannot cure serious disease.
Hypnosis can help in certain situations.
Among people with a proven ability to become hypnotized, it can relieve pain, including cancer pain. It helps some people go through dental drilling comfortably. It has been used successfully as a sedative during childbirth and to treat the pain of migraine headaches. Hypnosis has helped some smokers stay off tobacco for six months or longer. The success rate for hypnosis in smoking cessation is about equal to that of other methods used today.