What Is Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a trance defined by suggestibility, relaxation and imagination. It’s not a sleep state because the person is awake the entire time. It is similar to daydreaming. You are fully conscious, except you tune out everything else around you. You focus only on the subject at hand, blocking-out all other thoughts.

In a daydream or watching a movie, this fantasy world seems real to you in that it fully stimulates your emotions. These imaginary scenes can cause real happiness, fear or sadness and you might even jump in your seat if you are surprised by something. Some experts call all trances a form of self-hypnosis. Milton Erickson, the leading hypnotism expert from the last century, theorized that people hypnotize themselves every day. But most psychiatrists deal with the trance’s induced by purposeful relaxation and focusing exercises. This type of hypnosis is commonly compared to the relaxed state that occurs between consciousness and sleep.

In traditional hypnosis, you view the suggestions of the hypnotist as if they were real. If the hypnotist suggests that you have something in your eye, you’ll feel a sensation in your eye that may cause you to squint. If the hypnotist suggests that you are eating chocolate pudding, you’ll taste the pudding and feel it in your mouth. If the hypnotist suggests that you are sad, you may feel melancholy. But all the time, you are aware that it’s not real.

While in this mental state, subjects feel free and relaxed. Probably because they tune out the stresses and doubts that otherwise keep their emotions in check. You may experience similar feeling while watching a movie: As you get engrossed in the plot you forget about everything else and fade away until all you can think about is the movie.

And in this state you are highly suggestible. Meaning, when the hypnotist suggests you do something, you will most likely comply with the idea completely. This is why stage hypnotism shows are so intriguing. Ordinarily reserved, sensible people are suddenly doing things they would never do in a public setting. Fear of embarrassment is not a concern. The person’s sense of morality and safety remain strong throughout the experience. However, a hypnotist cannot get you to do something you don’t want to do.