Is Hypnosis fake? Does the Hypnosis trance exist?

Let’s define Hypnosis first.

Here the problem is that there are many definitions of hypnosis, depending who you talk to. Most Hypnotherapists, Hypnotists, Consulting Hypnotists and Stage Hypnotists will tell that Hypnosis is a natural state, very similar to day dreaming.

Hypnosis is a relaxed state of focused attention where you are more open to positive suggestions. It is a state of focused attention where you feel relaxed.

Some people think that hypnosis is fake because they are expecting things that are not real, based in a lot of misinformation about Hypnosis and how it works.

Hypnosis is technique to get you into a relaxed stated.
You are not going to be unconscious.
You are always in control. You can accept or refuse the suggestions from the hypnotist.
The idea is to reach your subconscious so you can create the changes you are looking for.

Hypnosis is used many Doctors, Psychologists … and many Health Care Professionals. It is also used by many Professional of Hypnosis, like Hypnotists and Consulting Hypnotists.

Hypnosis is not miracle cure. It is not power control. The hypnotist has no control over you. That’s totally false. It is not that the hypnotist will hypnotize you and make you do things against your will. That’s false.

Hypnosis is a technique, not a treatment … some Doctors use hypnosis as part of a specific treatment to help their patients. Hypnotists use hypnosis as a technique that can help their clients regain control and help them to have a more positive attitude.

The Hypnotic Trance

The Hypnotic Trance is defined by many as a state very similar or close to sleeping where you are very susceptible to suggestions.

The problem with this definition is that it gives you the impression that I as an hypnotist can give you any suggestion and you will do what I say … which is not true.

Let say you come to my office to see if you can quit smoking using hypnosis.

I will have a conversation with you. Ask you if you have talked to your Doctor about it and if is you or someone else who wants you to quit … let’s say, your partner wants you to quit, so you want me “to make you quit smoking.”

It won’t happens. Hypnosis cannot make you do things. In this case if you want to stop smoking, the first thing is that you … and I mean you, really want to do it or hypnosis won’t work.

Most modern hypnotists don’t use the word trance any more, because it is really confusing giving the impression that a hypnotist has total control over you, which again, it is false.

Allow me to give a short version of a hypnosis session.

The hypnotist will explain to you what’s going to happens and what he/she can do or not.
Depending of the reason you want to use hypnosis it might take a few minutes or hours.
First he/she will do a series of tests to find out if you can be hypnotized.
Then the hypnotic induction. The induction … is basically taking you into relaxation.
Some hypnotist might use rapid hypnosis inductions techniques, most will take you slower into relaxation.
When the hypnotist feels that you are hypnotized, he/she will ask you to use your imagination to create positive images and outcomes and give positive suggestions related to the reason you are in.
Then at the end the hypnotist will bring you back to be totally aware of your surroundings. Some will count from 1 to 5 and bring you slowly, others will do it faster and some will even just tell you that you can “come back” any time you want.

Depending of the reason you are visiting the Hypnotist you might see and feel the results right the way or it might take several sessions. One thing is for sure you will feel more relaxed and energetic at the same time.

How it feels to be hypnotized?

It is different for every person. In principle you are hypnotized when you are relaxed and focused and able to communicate with your subconscious. You will still be aware of your surroundings but you will be totally focused in the task or changes you want to make. If you hear a noise you won’t care because you are focused … although if you hear a fire alarm, you can bet that you will be aware right the way … you see that’s what I mean … you will not be unconscious or under the control of the hypnotist.

We can say that when you are hypnotized your conscious mind is still listening and alert to any danger, your subconscious mind is paying attention to what you and the hypnotist are saying and trying to accomplish.

The most obvious signs that your hypnotized, from the hypnotist’s side are:

A more relaxed face.
Changes in breathing.
Attention absorption.
Involuntary muscle movements.

From your side:

You feel relaxed.
The sense of time is distorted.
You notice yourself breathing slowly.
You are aware of your surroundings, but focused in your task.

The power of hypnosis is really on you … you are in control. It is the power of your imagination. Of course it also depends in the knowledge and training of the hypnotist, but at the end we are only guides. We basically guide you into self-hypnosis, where you connect with your subconscious and with the power of your imagination you create the changes you are looking for.

Again, Hypnosis is not a cure all solution. The fact is that is not a cure or treatment. It is not 100% effective, some times does not work. An it is not a solution for everything, but hypnosis is real, it works. It is not “the placebo effect”, it is not meditation, it is not fake.

Hypnosis is real, right now there are many universities and prestigious organizations doing research about hypnosis. We know now more about hypnosis than 50 years ago … of course we are still learning more about the power of our imagination and its use in hypnosis.