This is brought about by intense concentration in a relaxed state. Studies at Stanford University produced important information about how hypnosis might work. Researchers found that hypnotized subjects could suppress or stop their brains' electrical response to a picture by imagining that they did not see it. This ability was previously thought to be involuntary and not under the individual's control. 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.