Using Aroma to Enhance Hypnotism
Charles Giles
As the New Year begins I will be making some technical improvements and upgrades in my practice. Some of these, like upgraded software, will be largely invisible to clients. However, there is one big change coming. I am about to incorporate the use of essential oils to enhance my hypnotic practice.
As we are physical creatures, aromas in our environment affect us profoundly. The aroma of a favorite food can recall us to childhood. A whiff of someone's perfume or aftershave can take us back to other relationships with people who used similar scents.
Consulting Hypnotists have explored the controlled use of aroma as a way to amplify the effectiveness of hypnotism. Our process makes use of pure essential oils that create scents appropriate for the hypnotic script being employed. In this way the hypnotic experience becomes multisensory, not just verbal. For example, if an image of a forest is suggested in the hypnotic process, you may be able to detect a hint of pine or balsam scent to help that image lock into your mind.
At my office we will make use of essential oils from dōTerra International in Pleasant Grove, Utah. This company was selected as their products pass three extensive purity and consistency tests before being labeled as "Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade" essential oils. They are formulated by master apothecaries and contain nothing toxic.
Essential oil blends intended to address specific emotional states are used, adjusted for each client on a session-by-session basis. Aromas are kept to a minimum effective level, and may not even be noticeable. However, research suggests that the effect on a subconscious level can be profound. Further customization will no doubt be added as my skill with this new technology improves.
If a client does not want scent used during hypnotism, there is no requirement to do so. The air in my office is processed through a high-efficiency filter system and there are no lingering odors from previous sessions.
To avoid complicating impressions concerning "prescription of substances" the oils will be used as gentle aroma only. However, my colleagues have found that some clients discover essential oils to be so helpful they want to use the oils at other times and in other ways. The dōTerra products are available from multiple sources and I will be happy to provide you with information should you wish to explore this on your own. Clients who work with me over distance using Skype or other video services can obtain the dōTerra products for in-home use if they wish, much in the way they can presently use the HeartMath emWave technology by obtaining one the personal units for home use.
As I was explaining this to the participants at one of my cancer clinics, a long-term participant came up with a joke. "Now that Dr. Giles has mastered the Hogwarts curriculum for spell-casting, he's moving into potions!" That's not exactly the right idea, but I really think my clients will enjoy this new addition to my work.