This may appear a flippant question but bear with me. Having seen my father die from cancer (with complications) and having heard a first hand account of how scared a friend was of dying ( he died at 46), would it be if some comfort to hypnotise the sufferer into believing there was an afterlife?
I think any reputable Hypnotist would only act with the willingness of the person - so unless that is what they wanted, then no I don't think it a good idea.
Hypnosis to help calm,soothe and reassure is better.
Actually I think if that is what the person wanted then I think there might be some merit in it if it were possible. It might be easier though to hypnotise them and take away their fear of dying.
I have seen many a patient die of cancer and in their final days, they seem to develop a state of euphoria which could be described as a "hypnotic state."
it has been suggested that in the terminal state of cancer, the tumour produces an endorphin type of substance which promotes a "peaceful end" but i think that the scientific evidence for this is "sparse."
Personally i would rather have a good slug of Brompton's Mixture, than be hypnotoised.
Me too Sqad, what I hated witnessing the most was the aggression and anxiety towards the end - if it scared me then what is it like for the person themselves?
When the pump got turned up high, I could see peace restored.
I suppose the story of,my friend is more,relevant i.e. Someone who has a lot to live for.
Sqad, what the heck is Brompton's mixture? Morphine and whisky my wife suggests.
A few people suggested we ask for Brompton's mixture when my mum was terminally ill, frightened and in pain. I was too scared, thinking I'd be accused of trying to murder her. I just wanted her suffering to end, once it was clear she'd never get better.
By the time the patient thought such hypnotic suggestion might be useful I suspect they might be too stressed out to relax and enter a hypnotic state. Not that I'd know.