Hypnosis FAQ
Who can be hypnotized?
How can I be sure I can be hypnotized?
Can hypnosis make me do something I do not want to do?
Is hypnosis sleep?
Can I get "stuck" in the hypnotic state?
What is the difference between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis?
Is there a conflict between religion and hypnosis?
Q: Who can be hypnotized?
A: Generally, anyone of normal intelligence who is willing to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. People who say they cannot be hypnotized either do not want to be hypnotized - perhaps because of fears or misconceptions they hold about hypnosis - or they exhibit abnormal brain wave patterns, such as in the case of psychosis. Whether the hypnosis works depends mostly on how much you want to change a specific part of your life.
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Q: How can I be sure I can be hypnotized?
A: Hypnosis is a natural, though altered, state of mind. You enter some form of hypnosis several times a day, like when you are driving and pass your turn-off because you haven't been paying attention. You are in this altered state of focused concentration when reading a book or watching a good movie. Everyone goes through these natural, altered states before they fall asleep and as they come into wakefulness. Therefore, most people can enter hypnotic relaxation easily, provided they allow themselves to.
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Q: Can hypnosis make me do something I do not want to do?
A: Although hypnosis is defined as a state of increased receptiveness and responsiveness to verbal suggestions, the hypnotist cannot make you do anything you do not want to do. When hypnotized, you still maintain your critical faculties to such a degree that you can easily reject any inappropriate suggestions offered. It is you who are in control, not anyone else. Your subconscious mind will only accept suggestions that are in accordance with your personal and moral values.
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Q: Is hypnosis sleep?
A: Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not sleep. It only resembles sleep because people in hypnosis are relaxed and usually keep their eyes closed. Hypnosis is a state of inward focused attention, similar to daydreaming. When hypnotized you can hear and understand everything that is said. You can talk during hypnosis and you have a full and complete recollection of everything that was going on while you were in hypnosis. It feels very similar to the first five minutes when you fall asleep. You may hear the dog next door barking or be aware of someone else in the room, but you don't want to open your eyes or move. However, if you had to open your eyes and get up, you could, because you are not asleep and are always in total control.
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Q: Can I get "stuck" in the hypnotic state?
A: No, you won't get stuck. If the hypnotist left you alone, you would either come back to full conscious awareness on your own or if there were no urgent matters needing your attention, you might fall asleep because you were enjoying your state of relaxation.
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Q: What is the difference between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis?
A: Hypnotherapy is used to create desired changes in a person's condition. Stage hypnosis is used for entertainment purposes. The performer will select a group of willing participants, who, when given implicit permission to let go of their inhibitions, will do foolish and crazy stunts. They have a perfect excuse for whatever they do, because they claim they have been hypnotized. They also don't want to fail the audience and make the hypnotist look bad. Whether the entire group on stage was hypnotized or not doesn't really matter. If they choose to, people do incredibly absurd things without being hypnotized.
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Q: Is there a conflict between religion and hypnosis?
A: No, none whatsoever. Hypnosis does not involve religion in its application, and there is nothing in the use of hypnosis that might go against one's religious beliefs regardless of what that religion might be.
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